The Working Group on Interspecific Chimeric Brains

A Project of the Program in Cell Engineering, Ethics, and Public Policy (PCEEPP),
Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics,
in conjunction with the Institute of Cell Engineering,
Johns Hopkins University

Supported by a grant from the Greenwall Foundation

As a continuation of our interdisciplinary approach to ethical and policy issues in stem cell research, we have convened a group of scientists, philosophers, physicians, and lawyers to consider the scientific and moral implications of stem cell research with non-human primates. This expert panel, supported by the PCEEPP core faculty and staff, will discuss the implications of experiments that might be conducted transplanting human stem cells or neural progenitors into developing primate brains.

Some of the key scientific questions that will be addressed will include:

1. Could the introduction of human cells into the brains of non-human primates cause significant physical or biochemical changes that make the brain more human-like? Would this depend upon the stage of development of the animal or the type of cells introduced?
   
2. How could changes in the structure or function of the brain be detected?
   
3. What is the relationship between potentially chimeric physical structures in the brain and animal cognition, emotion, or behavior?
   
4. How could changes in animal cognition, emotion, or behavior be assessed? By what criteria could the degree of "human-like" changes be evaluated?

Some of the difficult philosophical and policy questions include:

1. Would it be morally problematic to create a chimeric animal that had a significant degree of "human-like" consciousness, cognition, or emotion? Would there be a threshold of acceptability, and if so, what scientific or moral distinction would determine the boundary?
   
2. If brain chimerism is deemed to be problematic, should this line of experimentation be regulated or prohibited, and alternative scientific investigations designed?
   
3. If some degree of human/non-human primate brain chimerism is acceptable, should the care and treatment of these animals receive special consideration on moral grounds?
   
4. Would there be legal considerations or protections that pertain to chimeric animals, as distinct from other animals?

Two plenary sessions will be convened in order to discuss these scientific and philosophical questions. The final product of the working group meetings will be a published paper outlining the group's deliberations and giving policy recommendations.

The Working Group on Interspecific Chimeric Brains is led by Dr. Ruth Faden, Ph.D., MPH, and Dr. John Gearhart, Ph.D. Kathryn E. Schill, MA is the Project Manager.

For more information about the Working Group on Interspecific Chimeric Brains, please contact Kathryn E. Schill at (443)287-3035.