The Emerging Field of Human Neural Organoids, Transplants, and Chimeras Science, Ethics, and Governance (2021) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 11-18
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From page 11... ...
In addition to the suffering and disability faced by affected individuals and their families, brain diseases have a tremendous economic impact. In 2017, neurological disorders were estimated to cost more than $800 billion per year in the United States, including costs related to both clinical care and lost productivity due to disability and mortality (Gooch et al., 2017)
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The human brain contains nearly 100 billion neurons interconnected by trillions of synaptic connections in complex circuits that process vast amounts of information. Unsurprisingly, such complexity presents formidable challenges, and tools for studying brain circuits are only now being developed.
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To address these limitations, researchers in recent years have developed new models to better represent the human brain. The three models considered in this report are human neural organoids, human neural cell transplants (sometimes called xenografts)
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While the committee focused on issues related to human neural organoids, transplants, and chimeras, such research is part of a larger field wherein analogous methods are being applied to variety of organs, such as the kidney and liver. As with neuroscience research, work in other areas has the multiple aims of elucidating developmental principles, analyzing disease mechanisms, and identifying novel therapeutic targets.
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If host cells that form the forebrain are ablated, the host can develop with a forebrain composed largely of donor cells, a process called blastocyst complementation. IMAGE SOURCE: Maria Diaz de la Loza, Ph.D.
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To carry out these tasks, the committee conducted an extensive literature review and held seven virtual meetings in which experts provided diverse perspectives in the areas of neuroscience, animal models, theories of consciousness, religious scholarship, and other relevant areas. The committee then consolidated the information obtained to formulate the findings presented in this report as guidance for scientists, clinicians, regulators, and the general public when considering how to balance the value of this research with the ethical concerns it raises.
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are the same as those encountered in other areas of biomedical research, while others are more specific to the types of research discussed in this report. Chapter 4 summarizes current oversight of research involving human neural organoids, transplants, and chimeras, which occurs at different levels -- the institution where the research is taking place; professional guidelines; state and federal laws and regulations; and, for international collaborations, regulations in other countries.
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