Consciousness and Human Brain Organoids: A Conceptual Mapping of Ethical and Philosophical Literature.
Aileen Van Gyseghem, Kris Dierickx, Andrew J Barnhart
AJOB Neuroscience July 9, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/21507740.2025.2519459 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | Peer-reviewed publications on consciousness in human brain organoids |
| Keywords | Human brain organoids Lab-grown brain models Organoid intelligence Bioethics Ethical considerations Complex ethics Debate Developing consciousness Definition for consciousness Philosophical review Existing discussions |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key findings | Uncertainty about consciousness complicates ethical discussions of human brain organoids, and focusing on organoid intelligence may be more tractable. |
Abstract
Human brain organoids (HBOs) are three-dimensional structures derived from human pluripotent stem cells that model aspects of fetal brain development. As HBO models grow more complex, ethical concerns arise, particularly around the potential for consciousness. Defining and detecting consciousness in HBOs remains unresolved, with existing theories offering conflicting predictions. This systematic review examines how consciousness is conceptualized in the ethical and philosophical literature concerning HBOs. We selected peer-reviewed publications written in English from 2013 onward that directly address consciousness regarding HBOs. After screening 51 sources, 24 were analysed in themes: Consciousness Terminology, Biological Limitations, Theories of Consciousness, Detecting Consciousness, Comparisons with Conscious Entities, and Special Entities. Uncertainty about consciousness in general complicates the conversation around HBOs. Clear communication is essential to avoid misconceptions, and future research may benefit from focusing on organoid intelligence as a more tractable concept.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Integrating neural organoids and AI: increasing the risk of artificial consciousness or medical malpractice? Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience March 4, 2026
- Research on Brain Organoids Should Prioritize Questions of Agency, Not Consciousness AJOB Neuroscience April 3, 2026
- From Neural Complexity to Relational Personhood: Rethinking Consciousness in Brain Organoids AJOB Neuroscience April 3, 2026
Cites 21
- Neural correlates of consciousness: progress and problems Nature Reviews Neuroscience April 20, 2016
- Are There Islands of Awareness? Trends in Neurosciences December 10, 2019
- Ethical (and epistemological) issues regarding consciousness in cerebral organoids Journal of Medical Ethics March 13, 2018
- What Is It like to Be a Brain Organoid? Phenomenal Consciousness in a Biological Neural Network. Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) September 13, 2023
- Human Brain Organoids: Why There Can Be Moral Concerns If They Grow Up in the Lab and Are Transplanted or Destroyed. June 8, 2023
and 16 more in the library