Consciousness within a Rotor Science and Ethics of Potentially Conscientious Human Cerebral Organisms
The human cerebral organoids, or brain organoids, are three-dimensional cultures that have been grown in the lab to closely mimic the cell composition, structure and function of their corresponding organ. For the time being, cerebral organoids do not have blood vessels or other brain characteristics, but they are capable of electrical coordination. In a number of ways, they have proven to be useful in the study of various diseases and the development nervous system. The research on human cerebral organoids continues at a rapid pace, and their complexity will only increase. It is therefore important to ask whether cerebral organoids can also develop consciousness, a unique feature of the brain. In this case, ethical questions would be raised. We discuss in this article the neural correlates and constraints that are necessary for consciousness to emerge according to the most controversial neuroscientific theories. We then consider the moral status of an organoid brain that is potentially conscious, based on ethical and ontological arguments. In conclusion, we propose a precautionary approach and suggest some avenues for future investigation. We consider some recent experiments to be entities of a potentially new type.
Source:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21507740.2023.2173329
