Researchers create mouse with human-derived brain cortex, sparking ethical and scientific debate

A research team led by Stanford professor Sergiu Pașca has reported in Nature the creation of a laboratory mouse whose cerebral cortex is built from human brain cells derived from stem cells. The study describes how the human-derived cortex integrates with the mouse brain architecture.

The development is notable because the human cortex underlies many aspects of complex cognition. Scientists hope the hybrid model will provide a new platform for investigating human brain development, neurological disorders, and drug testing in a living system.

The work has prompted ethical reflection, with the author comparing the scenario to fictional stories such as "Flowers for Algernon" and the cartoon "Pinky and the Brain." The prospect of a mouse possessing a substantially human brain region raises questions about consciousness and animal welfare.

The commentary appears in an opinion column by Paul Knoepfler, a UC Davis professor, and is available to STAT+ subscribers.