Brain organoids

Sometimes the issues of the day have a clear scriptural directive. Scripture tells us, for example, to care for God’s world, and thus we should do all we can to address human-induced climate change and its adverse effects. At other times, scripture provides no obvious guidance – how, for example, should we assess the benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence (AI)? In these cases, we need to return to bedrock principles to evaluate the implications of a new technology.

Peppercorn-sized life

Scientists have begun growing human brain tissue in a dish. Adult human cells are transformed into pluripotent cells, which can then be grown into three-dimensional aggregates that mimic the cell types found in specific areas of the human brain. We call these lab-grown aggregates organoids, and they are about the size of a peppercorn, containing one to two million neurons. By way of comparison, the brain of a honeybee contains a similar number of neurons, while our adult brain contains about ninety billion neurons. Organoids containing neurons found in different brain regions can be combined into assembloids, which then form connections like those found in our brains.

These organoids and assembloids can be used to learn how the brain develops and is structured, something that is impossible to do any other way. Scientists are using them to discover the workings of conditions like autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia and other disorders. In fact, a therapy based on work in organoids is being prepared to treat Timothy syndrome, which can cause epilepsy and autism. This research has the potential to provide significant advances in treating many currently untreatable brain disorders.

However, organoids also raise several ethical concerns. These include the consent of the individuals who provided the original cells (some cells, for example, come from individuals with mental disorders). Do these donors understand how their cells are being used? Furthermore, the nature and capabilities of organoids and assembloids need to be considered. One combination of organoids mimics the processing of sensory information from the spine to the brain. Is this pathway able to sense pain (unlikely because pain involves conscious awareness)? What if it became conscious? What would that mean? Finally, the question arises of what other uses this work could be put to beyond basic research: how would “organoid therapy” be regulated? There is also the possibility of dual-use research that could lead to nefarious uses like biological weapons.

Bedrock principles

Researchers are aware of these ethical issues and have organized meetings involving not only scientists but also philosophers, ethicists, lawyers and public groups. However, as Christians, we need to consider the implications of such research, as well as advances in other areas like AI. Perhaps, to misquote Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, “The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human technology.” Our task as God’s fellow creators is to discern and stay on the right side of that line by considering the bedrock principles of our faith.