Ethical considerations for advancing research using organoid models derived from the placenta

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Ethics
• Developmental Biology
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Organoid culture systems enable in vitro study of complex tissues.
• Trophoblast organoids, derived from placental tissue, are a recent advancement.
• These models offer insights into fetal development and maternal-fetal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the ethical considerations surrounding trophoblast organoids.
• To address the lack of literature on the ethics of placental organoid models.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review of literature on organoid models, fetal tissue, placenta, and umbilical cord blood ethics.
• Searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, Bioethics Research Library, and Google Scholar.
• No date restrictions were applied to the search.

Main Results:

• Ethical considerations fall into three categories: moral value, ownership/commercialization, and informed consent.
• The moral value attributed to trophoblast organoids influences ownership and consent issues.
• Stakeholder perspectives, particularly from parents donating placental tissue, require further research.

Conclusions:

• This review highlights key ethical areas for placental tissue-derived products.
• It emphasizes the need for discussion within the scientific and broader communities.
• Responsible conduct of research involving trophoblast organoids is essential.