Brain organoids and organoid intelligence from ethical, legal, and social points of view

Abstract

Human brain organoids, aka cerebral organoids or earlier “mini-brains”, are 3D cellular models that recapitulate aspects of the developing human brain. They show tremendous promise for advancing our understanding of neurodevelopment and neurological disorders. However, the unprecedented ability to model human brain development and function in vitro also raises complex ethical, legal, and social challenges. Organoid Intelligence (OI) describes the ongoing movement to combine such organoids with Artificial Intelligence to establish basic forms of memory and learning. This article discusses key issues regarding the scientific status and prospects of brain organoids and OI, conceptualizations of consciousness and the mind–brain relationship, ethical and legal dimensions, including moral status, human–animal chimeras, informed consent, and governance matters, such as oversight and regulation. A balanced framework is needed to allow vital research while addressing public perceptions and ethical concerns. Interdisciplinary perspectives and proactive engagement among scientists, ethicists, policymakers, and the public can enable responsible translational pathways for organoid technology. A thoughtful, proactive governance framework might be needed to ensure ethically responsible progress in this promising field.

Revolutionizing developmental neurotoxicity testing – a journey from animal models to advanced in vitro systems

“…OI, as a type of intelligence-in-a-dish, promises to study toxicants and possible repairs by working on brain organoids from patient material. We are forming a community around this (Morales Pantoja et al, 2023a;Hartung et al, 2023), which includes important ethical discussions (Hartung et al, 2024).…”

Unveiling Cell Organoid: A vanguard in organoid research

“…Organoids also advance understanding of developmental mechanisms, therapeutic target identification, and organ transplantation research [4] . Notably, brain organoids have shown potential in artificial intelligence applications [5][6][7][8] , such as speech recognition and nonlinear equation prediction. As research progresses, organoids are set to play a key role in personalized medicine and therapeutic interventions, enhancing our understanding of health and disease [9] .…”