The article says, that the documents, which were made public last year, include veterinary records that describe the alleged suffering experienced by several of Neuralink’s primate subjects. These records indicate that as many as twelve of these subjects had to be euthanized due to their condition. The documents portray graphic details of the suffering endured by these animals.

Experimental surgeries on monkeys to test the survivability of implants can result in complications such as bloody discharge, partial paralysis, and “brain swelling.” An example in December 2019 involved an internal part of the implant breaking off and causing infections which could not be cleared, ultimately resulting in the euthanization of the monkey.

The condition of a female monkey called “Animal 15” deteriorated after her implant surgery, leading to symptoms of pain or infection such as pressing her head against the floor and picking at her implant until it bled. She also experienced loss of coordination and uncontrollable shaking when in the presence of lab workers. Eventually, she was euthanized, and a necropsy report revealed bleeding in her brain and damage to her cerebral cortex caused by the Neuralink implants.

In March 2020, Animal 22, a monkey, was euthanized after its cranial implant became loose. The necropsy report confirmed that two screws securing the implant to the skull had severely loosened and could be easily extracted. The report explicitly stated that the implant’s failure was solely mechanical and not caused or worsened by any infection. This information contradicts Elon Musk’s claim that no monkeys died due to Neuralink’s chips.