The “mini brains” solving medical mysteries and raising concerns

Researchers prefer the term brain organoids: a collection of human cells in a petri dish that mimic the structure and cell types of our own brains. They’ve been used to study diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s, and evaluate potential treatments, but now the research is becoming more sophisticated, and that’s raising big concerns. Could they become conscious? Should we even be experimenting on our own cells? WSJ’s Alex Ossola explores the advantages, and potential issues, as scientists look to use brain organoids to test new medicines or even replace the chips in our computers.

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Further reading

• Scientists grow human cells in rat brains to study autism, schizophrenia
• Engineered mini brain models show patterns of activity that resemble babies’
• Startup uses “mini brains” and software to power drug research
• Thomas Hartung’s laboratory at Johns Hopkins University
• Paola Arlotta’s laboratory at Harvard University
• The Brainstorm Project