Scientists suggest that producing unconscious human bodies in a laboratory could be possible with a new technology that sparks ethical debates. According to an article published in the MIT Technology Review by three scientists from Stanford University, it is claimed that artificial human bodies named ‘bodyoids’ could be produced in a lab setting. These ‘bodyoids’ could open new horizons in medical experiments, drug tests, and organ transplants, as reported in a Daily Mail news article.

While they will have the same physiological properties as a normal human body, they are stated not to feel pain due to their lack of consciousness. Researchers argue that the lack of ethically sourced human bodies has impeded the advancement of modern medical science. Specialists point out the increasing number of patients in need of organ transplants and claim that this method could create an unlimited source of organs, tissues, and cells. The onset of ethical debates has accompanied this technology.

Scientists acknowledge that this technology could raise significant ethical issues but suggest that it can be implemented without crossing ethical boundaries. Researchers state that due to the scarcity of human biological materials, some medical experiments are carried out on animals, which is not deemed an ideal approach. The technology is based on converting stem cells into specific tissue types. Previous structures mimicking early-stage human embryo development have been created in lab settings. The EctoLife study conducted in Germany demonstrated the possibility of developing fetuses in artificial wombs, making the notion of growing human bodies in laboratories more realistic.

As over 100,000 patients await organ transplants in the US and over 8,000 in the UK, hundreds of patients lose their lives each year while waiting for organs. Scientists claim that perfect compatibility in organ transplants can be achieved through bodyoids derived from the patient’s own DNA. However, ethical concerns are seen as a greater obstacle than technological challenges. The production of entities resembling the human body but devoid of consciousness could lead to debates questioning the value of human life.

Researchers suggest that this innovation necessitates a serious public debate, stating, “It is necessary to be cautious, but a bold vision is also essential; the opportunity is too important to overlook.”