Dr Michael Morrison joins new Stakeholder Alliance on neural organoid research
Dr Michael Morrison, Senior Researcher in Social Science at HeLEX (Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies), has been appointed to a new UK Stakeholder Alliance on neural organoid research.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) will convene and lead this new initiative, which is made up of representatives from leading organisations across research, regulation, funding, and tissue banking. It will develop UK-focused best practice guidance for neural organoid research.
Neural organoids are small, 3D models grown from human stem cells that can mimic aspects of human brain development and function. This rapidly advancing field has the potential to improve understanding of neurological conditions, support drug development, and advance biomedical research. As the models develop, questions arise about how research should be governed and what safeguards may be needed.
Dr Morrison said: "Neural organoids have enormous potential to transform our understanding of neurological and developmental disorders, but their development also raises challenging ethical and societal questions, particularly concerning animal welfare, informed consent and sentience. I am delighted to be part of the Stakeholder Alliance, which builds on the UK's longstanding tradition, dating back at least to the Warnock Commission review of IVF, of embedding biomedical innovation within a robust social contract. This is an exciting opportunity to ensure that scientific progress is accompanied by thoughtful ethical scrutiny, and to help shape international standards for the responsible development of this emerging technology."
Martin Davies, Associate Director on Research and Policy at the NCOB, added: "Taking forward this recommendation is an important step for neural organoid research. The NCOB is well placed to bring together the scientific, regulatory and funding perspectives needed to explore the challenges. The Alliance provides an opportunity to strengthen dialogue and inform discussions about the future governance of this evolving field."