Schäffers Olivier J M, Gribnau Joost, van Rijn Bas B, Bunnik Eline M
Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Hum Reprod Update. 2025 Mar 17. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmaf007.
BACKGROUND: The advent of organoid culture systems has revolutionized our ability to model and study complex tissues in vitro. The placenta is one of the last human organs to have a functional organoid model developed: trophoblast organoids. These 3-dimensional structures, derived from placental tissue, offer researchers a valuable tool for studying previously inaccessible processes that occur within the womb and play a significant role in determining the health of the offspring. While primarily used for research, trophoblast organoids hold promise for clinical applications, including prenatal diagnostics and therapeutic interventions, both of which may have commercial interest. However, to ensure that research with organoid models derived from the placenta is conducted responsibly, the relevant ethics of these models need to be addressed. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: Ethical considerations related to organoid models derived from the placenta, such as trophoblast organoids are important but remain unexplored in literature. Therefore, the goal of this review is to explore the ethical considerations related to trophoblast organoids. SEARCH METHODS: Since there is no ethical research specifically addressing organoid models of the placenta to date, we have based our findings on discussions related to other organoid models and research involving fetal tissue, placenta, or umbilical cord blood. We employed a scoping review method to search PubMed, Embase, Medline (all), Bioethics Research Library, and Google Scholar for research articles, books, or other correspondence on ethical issues regarding these indicated topics, with no date limits. OUTCOMES: Ethical considerations related to trophoblast organoids can be divided into three distinct categories. First, there is a need to assess the moral value of trophoblast organoids, including their potential relational and symbolic dimensions. Second, it is important to understand ethical issues associated with ownership and commercialization of trophoblast organoids. Last, there are considerations related to appropriate informed consent procedures. It is worth noting that these three categories are interconnected, with the second and third being largely dependent on the moral value attributed to trophoblast organoids. Future research should assess the perspectives of various stakeholders, including parents who may donate placental tissue for organoid research. WIDER IMPLICATIONS: This review offers valuable insights into the ethical landscape surrounding the derivation of tissues or products from pregnancies, and their further application, highlighting areas that require attention and discussion within both the scientific community and the broader society. REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.
背景:类器官培养系统的出现彻底改变了我们在体外模拟和研究复杂组织的能力。胎盘是最后一批拥有功能性类器官模型(滋养层类器官)的人体器官之一。这些源自胎盘组织的三维结构为研究人员提供了一个宝贵的工具,用于研究子宫内以前无法触及的过程,这些过程在决定后代健康方面起着重要作用。虽然滋养层类器官主要用于研究,但它在临床应用方面也有前景,包括产前诊断和治疗干预,这两者都可能具有商业价值。然而,为确保对源自胎盘的类器官模型的研究负责任地进行,需要探讨这些模型的相关伦理问题。 目的和基本原理:与源自胎盘的类器官模型(如滋养层类器官)相关的伦理考量很重要,但在文献中仍未得到探讨。因此,本综述的目的是探讨与滋养层类器官相关的伦理考量。 检索方法:由于迄今为止尚无专门针对胎盘类器官模型的伦理研究,我们的研究结果基于与其他类器官模型以及涉及胎儿组织、胎盘或脐带血的研究相关的讨论。我们采用了一种范围综述方法,在PubMed、Embase、Medline(全部)、生物伦理学研究图书馆和谷歌学术上搜索关于这些指定主题的伦理问题的研究文章、书籍或其他通信,无日期限制。 结果:与滋养层类器官相关的伦理考量可分为三个不同类别。第一,需要评估滋养层类器官的道德价值,包括其潜在的关系维度和象征维度。第二,了解与滋养层类器官的所有权和商业化相关的伦理问题很重要。最后,有与适当的知情同意程序相关的考量。值得注意的是,这三个类别相互关联,第二和第三类别在很大程度上取决于赋予滋养层类器官的道德价值。未来的研究应该评估包括可能为类器官研究捐赠胎盘组织的父母在内的各种利益相关者的观点。 更广泛的影响:本综述为围绕从妊娠中获取组织或产品及其进一步应用的伦理状况提供了有价值的见解,突出了科学界和更广泛社会中需要关注和讨论的领域。 注册号:无。
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