BioEthics Breakfast Club - Neuralink: Are We All-In for a Cyborg Future?

Join us for BioEthics Breakfast Club with Bradley Greger, SBHSE, Katina Michael, SCAI and Stephen Helms Tillery, SBHSE

Neuralink, Elon Musk's foray into brain-computer interfaces (BCI), has started its first-in-human clinical trials in Phoenix. Neuralink articulates its mission as "Create a generalized brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs today and unlock human potential tomorrow." It promises a BCI that wil do everything: balance neurotransmitters, treat paralysis, and, of course, connect people directly to the World Wide Web. Human trials have begun despite criticisms of Neuralink's research with animals. As Neuralink and other companies contine work on these kinds of devices, what ethical considerations should be addressed? What individual and social benefits could come from this emerging technology and its development? What risks? How can benefits be realized and risks addressed?