What do you think? If brain organoids became conscious, could we ethically experiment with them, or should we abandon the idea? (Image: Westend61/Getty Images)
Controversy rages over miniature models of the human brain.
These small, three-dimensional tissue conglomerates grown from stem cells, known as brain organoids, are still relatively simple. They are typically designed to mimic just one part of the brain, although they can be combined into “assemblies” that span more than one region. Recently, scientists have developed ways to grow additional cell types within organoids, more accurately replicating the intercellular interactions observed in the real brain.
But even with these advances, some scientists argue that organelles lack the complexity needed to develop consciousness—roughly defined as a state of self-awareness, the ability to sense the world around us, or the ability to experience feelings and sensations.
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Some experts told Live Science that they believe it would be morally dangerous to experiment with conscious organoids without regard for their well-being. Others believe that experimenting with them is entirely acceptable, given that we already conduct research with conscious beings, namely, animals. Perhaps we should apply the same rules to organoid research as to research on laboratory animals, they suggested.
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Nicoletta Lanese. Social media navigation. Editor of the “Health” channel.
Nicoletta Lanez is the health editor for Live Science and previously served as a news editor and staff writer for this website. She holds a certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and degrees in neuroscience and dance from the University of Florida. Her work has appeared in The Scientist, Science News, Mercury News, Mongabay, and Stanford Medicine Magazine, among other publications. Based in New York City, she is also an avid dancer and performs in productions by local choreographers.
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