Abstract
Brain organoid research raises ethical challenges not seen in other forms of stem cell research. Given that brain organoids partially recapitulate the development of the human brain, it is plausible that brain organoids could one day attain consciousness and perhaps even higher cognitive abilities. Brain organoid research therefore raises difficult questions about these organoids' moral status – questions that currently fall outside the scope of existing regulations and guidelines. This paper shows how these gaps can be addressed. We outline a moral framework for brain organoid research that can address the relevant ethical concerns without unduly impeding this important area of research.
Highlights
Moral Limits of Brain Organoid ResearchSelf-consciousness might have greater moral significance; some argue that it is never appropriate to use self-conscious beings for invasive research.[30] At a minimum, if brain organoids develop advanced cognitive capacities we ought to account for their full range of their welfare needs, not merely narrow interests in avoiding pain or other aversive sensations
Brain organoid research raises novel ethical questions not seen in other areas of organoid research — questions that are related to the consciousness and moral status of these entities
We have argued that advanced cognitive capacities could give rise to new welfare requirements and potentially increase brain organoids’ degree of moral status
Summary
Self-consciousness might have greater moral significance; some argue that it is never appropriate to use self-conscious beings for invasive research.[30] At a minimum, if brain organoids develop advanced cognitive capacities we ought to account for their full range of their welfare needs, not merely narrow interests in avoiding pain or other aversive sensations. Research with advanced brain organoids should proceed only if (a) they are screened for cognitive capacities they could plausibly develop, (b) any associated welfare requirements are taken into account, (c) brain organoids’ cognitive capacities are not more sophisticated than is necessary to achieve the goals of the research, and (d) the research serves a sufficiently important purpose to outweigh the harms to the organoids themselves, taking into account these organoids’ (potentially enhanced) degree of moral status. It would be worse to misjournal of law, medicine & ethics
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