Ethically sourced “spare” human bodies could revolutionize medicine
1 min read
Summary
Advances in biotechnology have brought the concept of creating living “spare” human and non-human bodies into the realm of possibility.
By integrating recent developments in stem cell research, artificial uterus technology and genetic techniques, researchers may be able to create “bodyoids” entirely outside of a human body from stem cells that lack sentience and the ability to feel pain.
These entities could provide an unlimited source of human bodies and organs, reducing the need for animal testing, removing people from transplant lists and enabling more effective drugs and treatments to be developed.
However, ethical, social and genetic implications need to be considered before any progress is made.
Issues including consent, the human status of these bodies, and whether they should be created at all, will need careful consideration and debate.
By Carsten T. Charlesworth, Henry T. Greely, Hiromitsu Nakauchi