Food for thought! Has the time come for regulation and codes?
"Brain-organoid researchers are calling for global oversight as lab-grown mini-brains become increasingly complex and countries reduce reliance on animal models.
Once primitive cell clusters, neural organoids can now mimic aspects of human brain development and disease — and even integrate into animal brains — prompting concerns over donor consent, animal welfare and the possibility of emerging sentience. “What does it mean if human cells are causing gains in animals’ abilities?” says bioethicist Insoo Hyun. “Currently, we’re not set up to deal with that.” The call to action was signed by 17 scientists across five countries."
From the abstract:
"Human neural organoid and assembloid research, unknown until a little more than a decade ago, has recently exploded. The amount of research, the types of organoids and assembloids, and the scope of the work have expanded markedly. Although some of the ethical and social questions that arise have been previously discussed, these issues continue to grow and become more pressing.
In such a fast-moving field, any conclusions will be challenged by new developments. We argue that there is a crucial need for a continuing international process to watch, and to guide, the progress of this field.
Whether operationalized through existing organizations or a new one, this process would collect and disseminate evolving information about research involving human neural organoids, assembloids, and their transplantation into nonhuman animals; promote discussion and engagement with associated ethics and policy issues among researchers and the public; and offer guidance when needed."
Lab-grown models of human brains are advancing rapidly. Can ethics keep pace? Whether neural organoids feel pain or should be placed in animals are among the questions swirling around biology’s hot new technology
As brain organoids grow increasingly complex, leading scientists and bioethicists call for global oversight "Lab-grown 3D structures spark emerging concerns over donor consent, animal welfare, and developing sentience in a dish"
The need for a global effort to attend to human neural organoid and assembloid research (no public access; great the pamphlet can not be viewed by the public) "A continuing international process is needed to monitor and advise this rapidly progressing field"
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