China’s ‘brain chip’ drive accelerates with slew of state-backed initiatives
For years, Elon Musk has dreamed of conquering a range of chronic health conditions by inserting computer chips into the human brain. But that vision could become reality fastest in China, where state authorities are launching a coordinated effort to accelerate the nascent industry’s development. The past few days have seen a string of initiatives related to brain-computer interfaces (BCIs)…
China's push for brain-computer interface (BCI) technology has intensified with the introduction of numerous state-backed initiatives. These efforts are spearheaded by various entities, including state insurance companies, investment banks, and local governments. On Wednesday, PICC Property and Casualty, a major state-owned insurer, announced the signing of the nation's first commercial insurance policy for the invasive surgery required to implant a BCI.
The announcement of this insurance policy on Wednesday caused a rise in BCI-linked stocks in Hong Kong, with shares of related companies increasing by 1.59 percent. Shanghai Heartcare Medical Technology, a maker of neuro-interventional medical devices, experienced a 1.28 percent rise, while BrainAurora Medical Technology, a software developer, climbed by 1.65 percent.
Championed by Elon Musk's Neuralink, BCIs allow patients to control digital devices using their thoughts alone. The technology has been tested on human patients, showing promise in helping those paralyzed regain movement. In Hangzhou, a tech hub in eastern China, a public hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine has conducted at least 12 human trials involving BCI implants, with one patient regaining the ability to move within three days of surgery.
Despite the advancements, clinicians stress the importance of prioritizing safety as the technology moves towards wider use. Duan Wanru, chief physician at Xuanwu Hospital, a leading center for BCI clinical trials in the region, emphasized that long-term safety data is still lacking. Zhejiang province is also taking steps to bolster financing support for BCI companies.
The province has encouraged such firms to go public, home to several BCI start-ups like BrainCo, Genlight Neurotech, and Nanochap Electronics. Chinese researchers are also developing new techniques for implanting BCIs, such as using a blood vessel stent, to avoid invasive surgery.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
