Should organs grown from stem cells replace lab animals in research?

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis.

From mini brains to mini kidneys, an increasing number of organ models can now be grown in vitro [from adult or embryonic stem cells]. Some of these “organoids” can even perform certain functions of the human body[,]…reducing the need for animal models.

“I believe that [organoid models] will replace a lot of current animal experimentation,” [said] Hans Clevers[,] one of the field’s pioneers[.]

One area where organoids are well suited to reduce the use of animal models is toxicology…Another advantage…is that they can be used for personalized medicine.

…

[However,] [o]rganoids come with their own set of ethical considerations. Bioethicist Arthur Caplan…said he worries that researchers will rush to use organoids in lieu of animal models before the former have been properly validated. “My concern is, out of a desire to reduce animal use, to save money, and to avoid experimentation in humans, we rush into a new world of organoids and don’t do the proper calibrations,” he [said]. “I’m not against [these models], but we have to proceed with extreme caution.”

Read full, original post: Will Organs-in-a-Dish Ever Replace Animal Models?