Human-derived cerebral organoids are three-dimensional models grown in vitro from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells. Their capability of recapitulating some features of the human brain has led different scholars to question the ethical dimension of such models, especially for what concerns the issues of consciousness, moral status, risk of cognitive hybridization of human/non-human chimeras, and research protocols and guidelines. The current work describes what brain organoid research is, how promising it is for the biomedical field and frames the main points of the ethical discussion so far. Previous papers have reviewed this topic, but the position of the scientists on the ethical issues has not been studied systematically. This thesis aims to address this gap, by investigating the opinions of the researchers that work in close contact with human-derived cerebral organoids, weighting their sensitivity and attention directed to the ethical issues of brain organoids. Fifteen scientists [males = 5, females = 10, mean age = 41.8] were interviewed remotely between December 2020 and June 2021 and the transcripts were analysed using a constant comparative method. Three main results emerged from the analysis: (1) participants are skeptical concerning the idea that consciousness is going to emerge in human-derived cerebral organoids, with consequent repercussions on moral status – believed not to be an issue to consider – , human/non-human chimeras – that do not seem to pose any serious ethical challenge –, and guidelines – seen as currently sufficient and in no need of an update; (2) there is disagreement on how to approach the lay public, both in terms of how to present the work – and especially on whether the term “mini-brains” should be used – and how to write the informed consent sheet – and if it should contain information about the possible usage of the cells to grow human-derived cerebral organoids; (3) participants have a general positive attitude towards the ethical discussion. All in all, it seems that researchers do not share, at least for now, the same concerns of ethicists on the possibility of an emerging form of consciousness in brain organoids. On the other hand, they find different issues more pressing, such as the need of establishing more precise regulations on how to properly recruit the material from donors. Perspectives from researchers can guide the ethical debate and help it towards drafting regulations for a responsible use of brain organoid models.
Gli organoidi cerebrali di derivazione umana sono modelli tridimensionali coltivati in vitro partendo da cellule staminali embrionali o pluripotenti indotte. La loro capacità di ricapitolare alcune caratteristiche del cervello umano ha portato diversi studiosi ad interrogarsi sulla dimensione etica di tali modelli, soprattutto per quanto riguarda le questioni di coscienza, lo status morale, il rischio di ibridazione cognitiva delle chimere umane/non umane, i protocolli e le linee guida di ricerca. Il presente lavoro descrive cos'è la ricerca sugli organoidi cerebrali, quanto sia promettente per il campo biomedico e inquadra i punti principali della discussione etica finora. Articoli precedenti hanno esaminato questo argomento, ma la posizione degli scienziati sulle questioni etiche non è stata studiata sistematicamente. Questa tesi mira a colmare questa lacuna, indagando le opinioni dei ricercatori che lavorano a stretto contatto con gli organoidi cerebrali, soppesando la loro sensibilità e attenzione rivolta alle questioni etiche di questi modelli. Quindici scienziati [maschi = 5, femmine = 10, età media = 41,8] sono stati intervistati a distanza tra dicembre 2020 e giugno 2021 e le trascrizioni sono state analizzate con un metodo comparativo costante. Dall'analisi sono emersi tre risultati principali: (1) i partecipanti sono scettici riguardo all'idea che la coscienza possa emergere negli organoidi cerebrali, con conseguenti ripercussioni sullo status morale - ritenuto una questione che non necessita di particolare attenzione, per ora -, sulle chimere umane/non umane - che non sembrano porre alcuna seria sfida etica -, e sulle linee guida - viste come attualmente sufficienti; (2) c'è disaccordo su come avvicinarsi al pubblico non appartenente alla comunità scientifica, in termini di come presentare il lavoro - e soprattutto se il termine "mini-cervelli" possa essere usato - e di come scrivere il foglio di consenso informato - e se esso debba contenere informazioni sul possibile utilizzo delle cellule donate per la coltivazione di organoidi cerebrali di derivazione umana; (3) i partecipanti hanno un atteggiamento generalmente positivo verso la discussione etica. Tutto sommato, sembra che i ricercatori non condividano, almeno per ora, le stesse preoccupazioni degli eticisti sulla possibilità di una forma emergente di coscienza negli organoidi cerebrali. D'altra parte, essi indicano come urgenti altre questioni, come la necessità di stabilire regolamenti più precisi sul corretto reclutamento del materiale dai donatori. Le prospettive dei ricercatori possono guidare il dibattito etico e aiutarlo verso la stesura di nuove linee guida per un uso responsabile dei modelli di organoidi cerebrali.
Approaching the ethics of brain models. Scientists' ethical sensitivity on human-derived cerebral organoid research: a pilot study.
CHINAIA, ALICE ANDREA
2020/2021
Abstract
Human-derived cerebral organoids are three-dimensional models grown in vitro from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells. Their capability of recapitulating some features of the human brain has led different scholars to question the ethical dimension of such models, especially for what concerns the issues of consciousness, moral status, risk of cognitive hybridization of human/non-human chimeras, and research protocols and guidelines. The current work describes what brain organoid research is, how promising it is for the biomedical field and frames the main points of the ethical discussion so far. Previous papers have reviewed this topic, but the position of the scientists on the ethical issues has not been studied systematically. This thesis aims to address this gap, by investigating the opinions of the researchers that work in close contact with human-derived cerebral organoids, weighting their sensitivity and attention directed to the ethical issues of brain organoids. Fifteen scientists [males = 5, females = 10, mean age = 41.8] were interviewed remotely between December 2020 and June 2021 and the transcripts were analysed using a constant comparative method. Three main results emerged from the analysis: (1) participants are skeptical concerning the idea that consciousness is going to emerge in human-derived cerebral organoids, with consequent repercussions on moral status – believed not to be an issue to consider – , human/non-human chimeras – that do not seem to pose any serious ethical challenge –, and guidelines – seen as currently sufficient and in no need of an update; (2) there is disagreement on how to approach the lay public, both in terms of how to present the work – and especially on whether the term “mini-brains” should be used – and how to write the informed consent sheet – and if it should contain information about the possible usage of the cells to grow human-derived cerebral organoids; (3) participants have a general positive attitude towards the ethical discussion. All in all, it seems that researchers do not share, at least for now, the same concerns of ethicists on the possibility of an emerging form of consciousness in brain organoids. On the other hand, they find different issues more pressing, such as the need of establishing more precise regulations on how to properly recruit the material from donors. Perspectives from researchers can guide the ethical debate and help it towards drafting regulations for a responsible use of brain organoid models.È consentito all'utente scaricare e condividere i documenti disponibili a testo pieno in UNITESI UNIPV nel rispetto della licenza Creative Commons del tipo CC BY NC ND.
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14239/1045