Elon Musk has been accused of “playing god” following the revelation that his company Neuralink has achieved a significant breakthrough.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO announced that Neuralink successfully implanted a microchip into a human brain this past Sunday, a development that has raised questions on social media about the ethical and societal implications of merging human biology with advanced technology.
The operation has sent shockwaves through social media platforms, with some of Musk’s own 170million followers on X expressing apprehension and alarm at the potential ramifications of the technology.
Despite Musk’s assertions of promising initial results, including successful neuron spike detection, critics have voiced fears of “mind control,” the creation of “cyborgs,” and accusations of “playing God.”
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“Any technological advance has to be based on bioethical principles, otherwise playing God always ends badly,” wrote another.
Some responded to Musk’s tweet with a more light-hearted approach. One user shared that he “appreciated President Biden volunteering for this”, while another asked: “Is there any way to program it to help recover from being a Democrat?”
Despite the groundbreaking nature of this achievement, Neuralink has faced its share of challenges and controversies. Concerns regarding the safety and ethical implications of brain implants have prompted rigorous scrutiny from regulatory authorities, delaying the company’s progress.
Neuralink’s ambitions extend beyond assisting individuals with disabilities, aiming to implant microchips into the brains of paralyzed individuals to enable them to control their bodies using their thoughts.
