Neuralink Faces Lawsuit for Forcing Employee to Work With Herpes-Infected Monkeys That Scratched Her Skin

By Trisha Andrada

Jun 15, 2024 02:08 AM EDT

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Elon Musk's Neuralink being sued for pressuring an employee to handle monkeys infected with the Herpes B virus. (Photo : Kirsty Wigglesworth - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Neuralink, a brain implant business founded by Elon Musk, is facing a lawsuit on allegations that it pressured an employee into dealing with monkeys infected with the Herpes B virus, which scratched her skin. The case was filed in a California state court on Friday, June 14, as reported by Bloomberg.

Unacceptable Workplace

According to plaintiff Lindsay Short, she moved to the company site in Fremont, California, in August 2022. She said she encountered a work atmosphere characterized by impossible deadlines, humiliation, and finger-pointing there.

In addition to other claims, Short sued the business for alleged gender discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation.

READ NEXT: Elon Musk's Neuralink Reportedly Plans to Recruit 3 Participants for Long-Term Study

Allegations Against Neuralink

According to Bloomberg, Short recounted how she got scratched through her glove while interacting with monkeys infected with the Herpes B virus. The lack of appropriate protection gear for working with the monkeys was her main accusation against the firm. Another time, a monkey scratched her face after being forced to do a surgery she had no idea how to do.

According to the lawsuit, her manager warned of severe repercussions if the incident occurred again when she insisted on medical care.

Moreover, Short claimed in her complaint that Neuralink had promised her flexible hours so that she could care for her family but had instead demoted her in May 2023, only two months after she had been promoted.

She announced her pregnancy to Neuralink's human resources team a month later. The complaint states that Short was dismissed the next day, with the corporation citing performance difficulties as the reason for removal.

READ MORE: Elon Musk's Neuralink Aware of Brain Implant's Wire Issues Years Before Tested to First Human Patient: Report

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