Organoids: Creating functional organs outside of the human body

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 12, 2021

Organoids, miniature versions of human organs crafted from stem cells, are transforming the field of medicine by offering a non-invasive way to study diseases and test treatments. These tiny organ replicas, while not as complex as the real thing, are helping researchers gain deeper insights into the human body and disease development, potentially leading to more effective and personalized treatments. However, as organoid technology advances, it raises new challenges, including the need for regulations to protect genetic privacy and the potential for worsening healthcare inequalities.

Organoids context

Organoids, in essence, are miniature versions of human organs. They are three-dimensional clusters of tissue, meticulously crafted from stem cells, which are the body's raw materials, capable of generating any cell type. These organoids, while not yet fully developed, have the potential to evolve into structures that closely mimic specific human organs. 

This feat is made possible by leveraging the inherent genetic instructions within the cells. While organoids do not have the full complexity of actual human organs, they offer a viable alternative for studying functional organs without resorting to invasive procedures or experiments on living humans. Researchers are optimistic about the potential of organoids as a tool for gaining deeper insights into the human body and the mechanisms of disease development. 

For instance, a 2022 study published in the journal Nature demonstrated how brain organoids can be used to study neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. The researchers were able to model the progression of the disease in the organoids, providing valuable insights into its early stages. This kind of research underscores the potential of organoids as a powerful tool in disease study and drug discovery.

A 2023 study in the Hepatol Commun journal showed that liver organoids could be used to test the efficacy of drugs for liver diseases, reducing the reliance on animal testing. This not only presents a more ethical approach to drug testing, but also a more accurate one, as organoids can better replicate human response to drugs.

Disruptive impact

The use of organoids in studying rare diseases and conducting therapeutic studies is a trend that is likely to have profound long-term impacts on the field of medicine. For instance, the ability to "grow" a brain organoid that mimics neural activity, as demonstrated by researchers from the University of California Los Angeles in 2021, is a significant advancement. As the technology continues to improve, it is anticipated that organoids will be able to mimic other complex organs such as the heart. A 2022 study published in Frontiers used heart organoids to investigate the progression of heart diseases, providing new insights into their underlying mechanisms.

In personalized medicine, organoids could be created from the actual cells of a person suffering from a rare disease, allowing doctors to study a near replica of the patient's affected organ. However, this also underscores one of the limitations of organoids: the lack of a uniform, consistent environment for their creation. This variability can make it challenging for researchers to compare results across different studies. 

Governments may need to consider the ethical implications of using organoids, particularly those that closely mimic human brain activity. Additionally, regulations will need to be developed to ensure the safe and ethical use of this technology. Meanwhile, companies could leverage organoid technology to develop new drugs and therapies, potentially opening up new markets and revenue streams. However, they may also need to navigate the challenges of creating organoids consistently to ensure the reproducibility and reliability of their research. 

Implications of organoids

Wider implications of organoids may include:

• Detailed studies of organs where researchers create a batch of organoids to perform different treatment experiments. 


• Novel drug treatment studies by adjusting different cells inside an organoid to interact with different types of chemicals.


• Cell engineering where scientists could induce organoids to develop into other structures.


• A significant reduction in healthcare costs as more effective and personalized treatments for diseases could decrease the length and cost of hospital stays.


• A more ethical approach to scientific research and potential changes in animal rights legislation.


• Privacy concerns as individuals' genetic information would need to be stored and used in the creation of these organoids, requiring new regulations to protect genetic privacy.


• A worsening of the existing inequalities in healthcare as access to treatments developed using this technology could be limited to those who can afford them.

Questions to consider

• Do you think organoids could eventually be developed enough to become organ replacements? Why or why not?


• Would you be willing to receive an organoid transplant?