Ethics and governance suggestion of human brain surrogate model research
[Background]Human brain tissue is undoubtedly the best resource for analyzing human brain development and disease mechanism,but research in this area has long been hindered by difficulties in obtaining brain samples and the liminations imposed by the"14-days rule"on human embryo research.In recent years,neuroscientists have developed new human brain surrogate models,offering hope for the prevention and treatment of neurological and mental illnesses that cause human suffering.This field has developed rapidly but faces an inherent ethical dilemma,that is,while overcoming the difficulty of being"not like the human brain",it has gradually fallen into a more dangerous ethical dilemma of being"too much like the human brain",which is also one of the key ethical issues affecting the development of neuroscience.These models should receive a certain level of ethical and legal protection,which might in turn restrict research on brain models.The moral status of brain organoids is particularly sensitive.Brain model research introduces new methods for understanding and intervention in the field of neuroscience,presenting immense scientific potential while also significantly impacting traditional cultural,ethical values,legal norms,and various aspects of social life.This emerging and extensive scientific research is bound to bring about medical transformations and therapeutic innovations,altering our understanding of concepts like"human","animal","consciousness",and"death".It will compel us to adjust and reform our established value systems and ethical norms.How should we define the maturity boundaries for brain surrogate models allowed to be cultivated?Should"conscious"surrogate models be granted special treatment or rights that other human tissues do not possess?Do brain models have moral status?How should they be disposed of after cultivation is terminated?Is it possible to creat consciousness created from scratch?How should we treat animals that might possess advanced cognitive abilities due to the transplantation of human brain organoids(i.e.human-animal neural chimeras)?What impact does the"humanization"of non-human animals have on animal welfare?The significant cross-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary nature of neuroethics makes its research system and academic development more challenging.Currently,the academic community lacks systematic research on these issues.[Progress]This article first introduces advancements in brain science and five types of brain surrogate models:genetically edited non-human animals,human-animal neural chimeras,human brain organoids,living ex-vivo human brain tissue,and brain-like intelligence technology.It then systematically discusses the philosophical and ethical issues arising from these models from a bioethical perspective,including moral status,death criteria and determination,research ethics,and welfare and benefits.Finally,the article proposes six ethical guidelines related to research on human brain surrogate models as a governance framework:1)Evaluation of the safety of the technology and assessment of specific attributes related to consciousness,autonomy,and interests.2)Protection of the privacy and confidentiality of neurodata.3)Attention to the medical applications of neuroscientific tools and technologies,caution against their use in non-medical fields to prevent abuse.4)Routine ethical reviews for general risks,and expert review mechanisms for high risks,given the characteristics of brain model research and applications.5)Timely identification and addressing of public concerns related to brain models and encouragement of public education and dialogue to enhance information transparency and trust.6)Acting fairly and sharing the benefits of neuroscientific research and technology and conducting in-depth interdisciplinary dialogue among different stakeholders.[Perspective]Only by adhering to the principles of ethics first and proactive risk assessment,and by establishing a scientific,dynamic,effective,and sensitive ethical governance system,can we promote responsible research and innovation.Brain models are invaluable for studying human brain development and related diseases in vitro,and for conducting drug screening,with irreplaceable significance.Actively constructing an ethical governance system for brain model research around the concept of"technology for good"can shift the role of ethics from being a"bystander"in technological activities,focused on"reactive"reflection and criticism,to a proactive and preventative approach.This has significant implications for transitioning our country's ethical governance system from passive response to active prevention and also provides a Chinese approach to participating in global emerging technology ethical governance.
human brain surrogate modelbioethicsmoral statusinformed consentethical governance
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