Research Progress and Ethical Issues of Brain Organoids / 中国医学伦理学

ABSTRACT

Organoids are three-dimensional (3D) biological structures constructed in vitro by stem cells, which partially mimic the function of real organs. Brain organoids are an extremely important branch of organoid research. This technology can differentiate pluripotent stem cells into the required cell types in a 3D culture environment, and self-assemble into structural bodies, but it is currently unable to fully replicate the structural and physiological features of the real human brain. The maturity of brain organoids may form consciousness, which poses ethical issues such as determining moral status and informed consent in brain organoids research. This paper elaborated on the research progress and future development direction of brain organoids, and proposed multidimensional governance strategies for ethical issues faced in brain organoids research from the perspectives of ethical principles, ensuring public informed consent, and legal supervision. By exploring the above issues, reference will be provided for formulating ethical principles to guide the research and application of brain organoids in the future.