Startup Neuralink responded to allegations of animal cruelty during experiments. The representative spoke in detail about their principles and conditions for keeping laboratory animals.

On February 10, 2022, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which opposes the use of animals in experiments, filed a complaint against Neuralink. The statement said that during the experiments, the monkeys were "mutilated in the brain and left to suffer and die." It was also noted that the company "failed to provide the dying animals with the necessary veterinary care and used an unapproved substance called BioGlue, which killed the monkeys and destroyed their brains."

Representatives of Neuralink responded to the accusation and first of all noted that it is not yet possible to completely abandon animal experiments, since in this case the implants will have to be implanted directly into the human brain, and this is unethical and can unpredictably affect the health of the participants in the experiments. However, Neuralink said it complies with all federal laws on animal experimentation and verifies every experience with regulators. They also said that the company received accreditation from the International Association for the Evaluation of the Care of Laboratory Animals, which indicates compliance with the standards.

At the beginning of its journey, Neuralink collaborated with the California National Primate Research Center and used for experiments the corpses of monkeys that were euthanized on the testimony of a veterinarian. Animal advocates drew attention to the fact that some of the corpses of primates were missing fingers on their paws and this directly indicates that the researchers mocked the animals and maimed them. Representatives of the startup explained that sometimes monkeys have internal conflicts in which they can hurt each other and this fact has nothing to do with humanity on the part of scientists.

Neuralink also revealed that BioGlue is a widely used surgical adhesive approved by the Food and Drug Administration. One individual suffered a drug-related complication and was given humane euthanasia. Another 5 primates were euthanized after developing a post-implantation infection. The statement stressed that the researchers did not leave the monkeys to die painful deaths and carefully monitored their condition.

In 2020, Neuralink opened its own vivarium and uses animals, including primates, from its resources. The institution employs caretakers who ensure a decent quality of life for the experimental subjects. Each animal is provided with a spacious enclosure, balanced nutrition and veterinary care. Also, Neuralink does not use the method of restricting animals in food and water to stimulate the implementation of research tasks. Instead, playful forms of experimentation are used that arouse the natural curiosity of primates.

Neuralink also provides for a “pension” for test subjects. If an animal systematically refuses to take part in experiments and contribute to research, then they are fired and look for a new place to live. So in the spring of last year, several monkeys went to a primate shelter, and their content is fully paid by the company.

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