Views on the distribution of consciousness influence ethical judgements toward brain organoids as biological computers: an exploratory study.

Public views on biocomputers—biological computers built with brain organoids—were explored in an online survey. Most respondents supported research on and creation of biocomputers, and for some, support increased as the devices were perceived to be more conscious, a pattern that conflicts with standard moral philosophy. Three distinct clusters of opinion emerged regarding the scope of consciousness in human and non-human entities, and these clusters strongly predicted views on the cognitive capacities and moral status of biocomputers. The findings suggest that public ethical reasoning about engineered neural systems may not follow conventional philosophical frameworks, highlighting the need for broader stakeholder engagement to inform governance.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Biological computers, or 'biocomputers', are being engineered with brain organoids integrated with in silico hardware and software components. This technology promises to advance our mechanistic understanding of cognitive processes by embodying in vitro neural systems within virtual learning environments. Yet, biocomputers raise ethical and moral questions, such as whether evidence of consciousness indicates that embodied neural systems have moral status. To better understand the relationship between signs of consciousness and ethical concerns, we conducted an exploratory study to investigate public views toward biocomputers. We examined whether the public's tendency to attribute consciousness to human and non-human entities guides moral reasoning about biocomputers. We discovered a latent structure underlying public views on the distribution of consciousness. Specifically, we identified three cluster groups, characterized by opinions on the scope of consciousness. These cluster groups were highly predictive of views toward the cognitive capacities and moral status of biocomputers. Respondents in our sample exhibited strong support for research on and creation of biocomputers, and for some, support increased as biocomputers were perceived to be more conscious-a relationship that appears to conflict with conventional reasoning in moral philosophy. Future studies will help determine the prevalence of these views among stakeholders and demographically representative publics at local, national, and global scales whose ethical judgements will inform regulation, oversight, and governance of engineered neural systems.