Failed tests must also be repeated, increasing the number of animals tested and killed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspector General has launched an investigation at the request of federal prosecutors.
Neuralink has passed all USDA inspections of its facilities, according to regulatory filings.
The total number of animal deaths does not necessarily indicate that Neuralink violated regulations or standard research practices, but current and former employees say the total is higher than necessary because it is related to Musk’s demand to speed up Research.
At least four experiments involving 86 pigs and two monkeys in recent years have been marred by human error, undermining the research value of the experiments, requiring them to be repeated and leading to more animals being killed, according to people familiar with the matter.
Three staff members, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the errors to a lack of preparation by the testing team working in the pressure cooker environment.
