Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are among the most insidious diseases that can affect humans.
US entrepreneur Elon Musk believes in a special way of healing.
Munich - What works for a monkey should soon also be possible for humans. Elon Musk * holds out the prospect of implementing microchips for artificial intelligence in human bodies on a trial basis later this year. The hope behind it: diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, but also paralysis could be cured and telepathic powers activated. This is what the
Business Insider
reports
.
The Tesla * boss, who offers paralyzed people the prospect of cell phone operation via the brain, would trust a development from his neurotechnology company Neuralink.
This is a chip that enables communication between the human brain and computers, known in technical jargon as the brain-computer interface.
Just a few days ago, Musk shared a Twitter video showing a monkey that can only play video games with its mind thanks to this new technology.
Musk wants people to implement brain chips: Praise from scientists - criticism from animal rights activists
The cut, in which the animal first manipulates the joystick and later only uses his thoughts to move the screen, attracted a lot of attention.
Neuroscientists see this as a major step towards more efficient monitoring of human health.
However, there was criticism from animal rights activists.
For example, Peta, whose members were already excited about previous experiments on a pig, criticized the animals “sometimes having to stare at a screen for hours.
In order to force them to cooperate, the animals are kept thirsty and hungry all the time.
When the 'session' is over, they have to go back to their cage. "
Video: Monkey controls video game only with his thoughts
Musk wants people to implement brain chips: Twitter user asks about possible tests
These test rabbits did not voluntarily contribute to the scientific success.
With the upcoming step towards experimenting with people, things will look different.
At the beginning of the year, a Twitter user who had been paralyzed from the shoulder down since a car accident 20 years ago offered himself.
Musk replied at the time: “Neurolink works extremely hard to ensure the safety of the implants and is in close contact with the FDA (
US Food and Drug Administration, ed.
).
If everything goes well, we might be able to start human trials this year. ”That would actually be a significant step.
(mg)