Neuralink, the brain-machine interface startup founded by Elon Musk, recently announced receiving approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their inaugural human clinical trials. This approval comes after Musk’s assertions since 2019 that the company was close to beginning human testing.

Founded in 2016, Neuralink applied for FDA approval only last year. The primary purpose of the company’s brain implant technology is to address severe conditions such as blindness and paralysis.

Previous Government Probes into Neuralink

In the past, the federal government has shown keen interest in Neuralink’s mission and operations. Last year, prompted by a federal prosecutor, the Inspector General of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) investigated potential violations of the Animal Welfare Act by Neuralink. The inquiry also scrutinized the extent of USDA oversight of the company.

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Looking Ahead

The announcement on Neuralink’s Twitter page praised the diligent efforts of the team and their successful collaboration with the FDA, noting, “This is an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people.”

However, neither Elon Musk nor Neuralink have shared any details about the recruitment process for the upcoming trials. They have assured the public that more information will be released soon. The FDA has yet to comment on the specific guidelines for these trials.