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Tiny human brain organoids implanted into rodents, triggering ethical concerns
Minuscule blobs of human brain tissue have come a long way in the four years since scientists in Vienna discovered [DOI: 10.1038/nature12517] [DX] how to create them from stem cells.
The most advanced of these human brain organoids — no bigger than a lentil and, until now, existing only in test tubes — pulse with the kind of electrical activity that animates actual brains. They give birth to new neurons [open, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.04.032] [DX], much like full-blown brains. And they develop the six layers [open, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.09.047] [DX] of the human cortex, the region responsible for thought, speech, judgment, and other advanced cognitive functions.
These micro quasi-brains are revolutionizing research on human brain development and diseases from Alzheimer's to Zika [open, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.04.032] [DX], but the headlong rush to grow the most realistic, most highly developed brain organoids has thrown researchers into uncharted ethical waters. Like virtually all experts in the field, neuroscientist Hongjun Song of the University of Pennsylvania doesn't "believe an organoid in a dish can think," he said, "but it's an issue we need to discuss."
Those discussions will become more urgent after this weekend. At a neuroscience meeting, two teams of researchers will report implanting human brain organoids into the brains of lab rats and mice, raising the prospect that the organized, functional human tissue could develop further within a rodent. Separately, another lab has confirmed to STAT that it has connected human brain organoids to blood vessels, the first step toward giving them a blood supply.
Ethicists triggered once again.
Also at Inverse, Express, and Daily Mail (included for contrast).
(Score: 2) by Osamabobama on Friday November 10 2017, @12:31AM (5 children)
So when rodents get human brain parts, they develop a sense of ethics? Is that the Secret of NIMH?
Appended to the end of comments you post. Max: 120 chars.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 10 2017, @01:28AM (1 child)
Well, they could always experiment on Trump. He could use some human brain tissue anyway.
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Friday November 10 2017, @01:35AM
We are the rodents, [wikipedia.org] just that most of you haven't realized that yet.
We are not yet overpopulated to that degree, true, but the connectivity of the internet has accelerated the process. Take a look at the world around you, man!
(Score: 4, Funny) by Pino P on Friday November 10 2017, @01:52AM (1 child)
I thought the secret was how many nickel metal hydride batteries are in use at the National Institute of Mental Health.
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Friday November 10 2017, @04:41PM
It's actually the sister organization to NIMBY, who don't mind so terribly much about their backyard so long as it's not in their house. NIMH = Not In My House
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 10 2017, @01:54AM
I believe that it exactly how it happens.
That's unlike jmorris, when he receives human brains, he eats them.