From Neural Complexity to Relational Personhood: Rethinking Consciousness in Brain Organoids
Mario Picozzi, Renzo Pegoraro, Alberto Carrara
AJOB Neuroscience April 3, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/21507740.2026.2649173 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic mapping of the ethical and philosophical literature on human brain organoids reveals how consciousness is discussed in that context. The analysis reconstructs the ways scholars invoke concepts of consciousness when debating the moral status, potential sentience, and research oversight of brain organoids. The mapping identifies key themes, including whether organoids could possess conscious experience, what neural correlates would indicate consciousness, and how uncertainty about organoid consciousness should guide ethical decision-making. The authors suggest the literature often conflates different notions of consciousness and call for more precise definitions to inform responsible research governance.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic mapping Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Consciousness Neuroethics Organoid Neural activity Persistent vegetative state |
| Key finding | The ethical and philosophical literature on human brain organoids frequently discusses consciousness in varied and sometimes conflated ways, highlighting the need for clearer definitions to guide research ethics. |
Abstract
The systematic mapping by Van Gyseghem and colleagues (2026) provides a welcome and careful reconstruction of how consciousness is discussed within the ethical and philosophical literature on human...