Ethical, legal and social aspects of human cerebral organoids and their governance in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States

Anja Pichl*, Robert Ranisch, Ozan Altan Altinok, Melpomeni Antonakaki, Andrew J. Barnhart, Katherine Bassil, J. Lomax Boyd, Alice Andrea Chinaia, Sarah Diner, Maxence Gaillard, Henry T. Greely, Joshua Jowitt, Karola Kreitmair, David Lawrence, Tim Nicholas Lee, Alex Mckeown, Vorathep Sachdev, Silke Schicktanz, Jeremy Sugarman, Katharina TrettenbachLara Wiese, Hannes Wolff, Garoar Arnason

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Human cerebral organoids (HCOs) are model systems that enable researchers to investigate the human brain in ways that had previously been impossible. The emergence of HCOs was accompanied by both expert and layperson discussions concerning the possibility of these novel entities developing sentience or consciousness. Such concerns are reflected in deliberations about how to handle and regulate their use. This perspective article resulted from an international and interdisciplinary research retreat "Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects of Human Cerebral Organoids and their Governance in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States", which took place in Tubingen, Germany, in August 2022. The retreat focused on whether HCO research requires new ethical and regulatory approaches. It addressed epistemic issues around the detection and theorisation of consciousness, ethical concerns around moral status and research conduct, difficulties for legislation and guidelines managing these entities, and public engagement.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1194706
Number of pages6
JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Volume11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Nov 2023

Keywords

  • brain organoid
  • human cerebral organoids
  • ELSA
  • ethics
  • consciousness
  • moral status
  • governance
  • public engagement
  • CONSCIOUSNESS
  • ISSUES

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ethical, legal and social aspects of human cerebral organoids and their governance in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this