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

Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 6

Опубликована: Янв. 5, 2024

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 neurodevelopment and neurological disorders. However, unprecedented ability to model development function

Язык: Английский

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The technology, opportunities, and challenges of Synthetic Biological Intelligence

Biotechnology Advances, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 68, С. 108233 - 108233

Опубликована: Авг. 7, 2023

Integrating neural cultures developed through synthetic biology methods with digital computing has enabled the early development of Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI). Recently, key studies have emphasized advantages biological systems in some information processing tasks. However, neither technology behind this development, nor potential ethical opportunities or challenges, been explored detail yet. Here, we review aspects that facilitate SBI and explore applications. Considering these foreseeable use cases, various implications are proposed. Ultimately, work aims to provide a robust framework structure considerations ensure can be both researched applied responsibly.

Язык: Английский

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Microinstrumentation for Brain Organoids

Advanced Healthcare Materials, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 13(21)

Опубликована: Янв. 13, 2024

Brain organoids are three-dimensional aggregates of self-organized differentiated stem cells that mimic the structure and function human brain regions. Organoids bridge gaps between conventional drug screening models such as planar mammalian cell culture, animal studies, clinical trials. They can revolutionize fields developmental biology, neuroscience, toxicology, computer engineering. Conventional microinstrumentation for cellular engineering, microfluidic chips; microelectrode arrays (MEAs); optical, magnetic, acoustic techniques, has limitations when applied to (3D) organoids, primarily due their limits with inherently two-dimensional geometry interfacing. Hence, there is an urgent need develop new instrumentation compatible live culture techniques scalable 3D formats relevant organoids. This review discusses approaches emerging necessary advanced organoid-machine interfaces. Specifically, this article surveys recently developed microinstrumentation, including printed curved microfluidics, fast-scan optical buckling self-folding MEAs, interfaces electrochemical measurements, spatially controllable magnetic technologies two-way information transfer highlights key challenges must be addressed robust organoid reliable spatiotemporal transfer.

Язык: Английский

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Human Brain Organoids and the Mereological Fallacy

Neuroethics, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 18(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 6, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Harnessing Intelligence from Brain Cells In Vitro

The Neuroscientist, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 13, 2025

Harnessing intelligence from brain cells in vitro requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating wetware, hardware, and software. Wetware comprises the themselves, where differentiation induced pluripotent stem offers ethical scalability; hardware typically involves life support system setup to record activity deliver stimulation cells; software is required control process signals coming going cells. This review provides broad summary of foundational technologies underpinning these components, along with outlining importance technology integration. Of particular that this new ability extend beyond traditional methods assess primarily survival spontaneous neural cultures. Instead, focus returns core function tissue: neurocomputational information respond accordingly. Therefore, also covers work that, despite relatively early state current technology, has provided novel meaningful understandings field neuroscience opening exciting avenues for future research.

Язык: Английский

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Human Brain Organoid Transplantation: Testing the Foundations of Animal Research Ethics

Neuroethics, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 17(2)

Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2024

Abstract Alongside in vitro studies, researchers are increasingly exploring the transplantation of human brain organoids (HBOs) into non-human animals to study development, disease, and repair. This paper focuses on ethical issues raised by such studies. In particular, it investigates possibility that they might yield enhanced function recipient (especially primates), thereby fundamentally altering their moral status. I assess critique, major voices bioethics science communities, according which concerns premature misleading. identify assumptions underlying this skeptical mention some objections against them, followed possible replies. proceed argue position is ultimately implausible, because presupposes an unreasonably high standard full My argument appeals David DeGrazia’s idea a “borderline person”, need for consistency with existing animal research regulations. outline practical implications my view conduct studies result development status transplanted animal. also discuss enhancement (particularly rodents) below threshold associated conclude far from being premature, further debate these urgently needed help clarify prospects neural chimera attain foreseeable future, level quality life required make acceptable knowingly create via HBO transplantation.

Язык: Английский

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Organoids and chimeras: the hopeful fusion transforming traumatic brain injury research

Acta Neuropathologica Communications, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 12(1)

Опубликована: Авг. 30, 2024

Research in the field of traumatic brain injury has until now heavily relied on use animal models to identify potential therapeutic approaches. However, a long series failed clinical trials brought many scientists question translational reliability pre-clinical results obtained animals. The search for an alternative conventional that better replicate human pathology is thus utmost importance field. Recently, orthotopic xenotransplantation organoids into living been achieved. This review summarizes existing literature this new method, focusing its applications preclinical research, both context cell replacement therapy and disease modelling. Given obvious advantages approach study pathologies vivo context, we here critically current limitations while considering possible research.

Язык: Английский

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Moral considerability of brain organoids from the perspective of computational architecture

Oxford Open Neuroscience, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 3

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

Abstract Human brain organoids equipped with complex cytoarchitecture and closed-loop feedback from virtual environments could provide insights into neural mechanisms underlying cognition. Yet certain cognitive capacities might also merit moral consideration. A precautionary approach has been proposed to address these ethical concerns by focusing on the epistemological question of whether possess structures for morally-relevant that bear resemblance those found in human brains. Critics challenge this similarity philosophical, scientific, practical grounds but do so without a suitable alternative. Here, I introduce an architectural infers potential cognitive-like processing based pattern information flow through system. The kind computational architecture acquired organoid then informs could, theoretically, be supported empirically investigated. implications considerability are discussed.

Язык: Английский

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Theoretical Neurobiology of Consciousness Applied to Human Cerebral Organoids

Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown, С. 1 - 21

Опубликована: Окт. 18, 2023

Abstract Organoids and specifically human cerebral organoids (HCOs) are one of the most relevant novelties in field biomedical research. Grown either from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, HCOs can be used as vitro three-dimensional models, mimicking developmental process organization developing brain. Based on that, despite their current limitations, it cannot assumed that they will never at any stage development manifest some rudimentary form consciousness. In absence behavioral indicators consciousness, theoretical neurobiology consciousness being applied to unresponsive brain-injured patients considered with respect HCOs. clinical neurology, is difficult discern a capacity for who provide no such scenarios, validated neurobiological theory which tells us what neural mechanisms are, could identify Like diagnostic difficulty neurologists, Therefore, this article discusses how three prominent theories apply organoids. From perspective Temporal Circuit Hypothesis, Global Neuronal Workspace Theory, Integrated Information we discuss neuronal structures functions might indicate have conscious.

Язык: Английский

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Organoids, Biocybersecurity, and Cyberbiosecurity—A Light Exploration

Organoids, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 3(2), С. 83 - 112

Опубликована: Май 13, 2024

Organoids present immense promise for studying organ systems and their functionality. Recently, they have become the subject of exploration outside purely biomedical uses in multiple directions. We will explore rapidly evolving landscape organoid research over 21st century, discussing significant advancements highlighting breakthroughs, methodologies, transformative impact on our understanding physiology modeling. In addition, we potential use biocomputing harnessing intelligence, investigate how these miniaturized organ-like structures to create novel computational models processing platforms allowing innovative approaches drug discovery, personalized medicine, disease prediction. Lastly, address ethical dilemmas surrounding by dissecting intricate considerations related creation, use, implications vitro models. Through this work, goal paper is provide introductory perspectives bridges that connect organoids cybersecurity applications imperative discourse accompanying its with commentary future uses.

Язык: Английский

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