From Cells to Organoids

Sociological Considerations for the Bioengineering of Human Models

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2250441
AutoresSara Bea (0000-0002-2164-8514, Usher Institute College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK), Amy Hinterberger (0000-0002-6631-1966, Department of Bioethics and Humanities School of Medicine University of Washington Seattle Washington USA, autor de correspondencia)
Año2025
Volumen47
Número2
Páginase13862-e13862
Fecha de publicación2025-02-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-9566.13862
PMID39579143
OpenAlexW4404644442
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas42

By examining the laboratory practices behind designing and crafting organoids-miniature, three-dimensional cellular structures that replicate organ functions-we highlight a critical shift in biomedical research. Over the past 16 years, advances in stem cell research have transitioned from generating stem cells to utilising these cells in building sophisticated organ models and bioengineered tissues. This transition represents a significant move from the 'what' of cell creation to the 'how' of constructing and interpreting three-dimensional human models. Through ethnographic research (including observations and interviews) in Europe and North America, we explore how organoids are constructed and the underlying logic driving their development. Our analysis underscores the growing importance of these in vitro models for human health, urging a sociological examination of their 'near human' status. We argue that understanding the implications of this shift-particularly how it influences perceptions of human representation and diversity in biomedical research-requires critical scrutiny from sociologists of health and illness. This paper aims to address the urgent need to investigate not just the experimental challenges but also the socio-political dimensions of using organoids as proxies for human physiology

Bioinformatics · Biology · Biomedicine · Data science · Diversity (politics · Engineering ethics · Environmental ethics · Organoid · Political science · Politics · Scrutiny · Sociology · Anthropology · Biomedical Ethics and Regulation · Computer Science · Engineering · Law · Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations · Neuroscience · Pluripotent Stem Cells Research