1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

The recent dismissal of FDA employees reviewing Neuralink, a company owned by Elon Musk, raises serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of the regulatory process. While the reasons cited were related to performance, these employees had received positive reviews just weeks prior, suggesting the dismissals may have been retaliatory or politically motivated. This undermines public trust in the FDA's ability to provide impartial oversight of medical devices like Neuralink's brain implants. The firing of reviewers overseeing clinical trials involving experimental technologies with significant risks to human health is deeply troubling. It compromises the FDA's capacity to thoroughly vet applications and safeguard patient safety. With Musk's influence and the substantial funds he contributed to the Trump re-election effort, there are valid worries about inappropriate interference in the regulatory process. This situation demands a thorough investigation into whether any laws or ethical guidelines were violated. Regulatory bodies must remain independent and free from undue influence to protect public welfare. Allowing political factors or personal ties to corporations to sway regulatory decisions jeopardizes the entire system. Strict measures should be taken to ensure FDA operations are shielded from conflicts of interest and that reviews occur through proper channels without external pressure.