The International Bioethics Symposium 2024 in Singapore

Ethical, Legal, and Social issues of Human Brain Organoid Research and Application
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The International Bioethics Symposium 2024 will take place in Singapore on November 11-12, co-organised by the Centre for Co-creative Science at Hiroshima University, the Uehiro Division of Applied Ethics at Hiroshima University, and the Centre for Biomedical Ethics at National University of Singapore. With the rapid development of brain organoid research, a wide array of ethical, legal, and social issues have emerged. This symposium brings together leading voices from both the East and the West—scientists, philosophers, ethicists, and legal scholars—to explore and discuss these critical challenges.

Venue: Level 2, Cluny & Dalvey, NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House, 9 Kent Ridge Dr, Singapore 119241 (Map)
Date: Monday 11 Nov to Tuesday 12 Nov 2024

Interested participants will join the session via Zoom, as in-person attendance is via invitation only.
 If you would like to attend in person, please reach out directly to  Professor Tsutomu Sawai.

Programme

Day 1 (Monday, November 11, 2024)

9:00am 

 Opening Remarks and Overview
● Tsutomu Sawai (Hiroshima University) – ”Mapping the ELSI of Human Brain Organoid Research and Applications” – 30 min
● Andrea Lavazza (Centro universitario internazionale) – “Ethical Challenges of Brain Organoids: Perspectives from Scientists and the General Public” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A

10:05

 Coffee Break – 10 min

10:15

 Session 1: Consciousness and Moral Status I
● Alexandre Erler (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) – “Human Brain Organoids, Consciousness, and Hedonic Valence” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A
● Takuya Niikawa (Kobe University) – “Precautionary Principle on Sentience” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A

11:25

Lunch Break – 95 min

13:00

 Session 2: Consciousness and Moral Status II
● Shu Ishida (Hiroshima University) – “The Moral Relevance of the Well-Being of Non-Human Entities” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A
● Koji Ota (University of Tsukuba) – “Examining Moral Intuitions about Human Brain Organoids” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A

14:10

Coffee Break – 10 min

14:20

 Session 3: Integration with Animals and Machines
● Julian Koplin (Monash University) – “Moral status of brain organoids, nonhuman animals, and chimeras made by combining the two” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A
● Brett Kagan (Cortical Lab) – “Pathways Towards Integrating Neural Systems with Machines and Key Implications” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A

15:30

Coffee Break – 10 min

15:40

Session 4: Social Aspects
● Ilhak Lee & Jihyun Yang (Yonsei University) – “Ethics of Neural-Organoid Research: Consenting to Donation for Neural Organoid Research” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A
● Masanori Kataoka (Hiroshima University) – “Japanese Public Attitudes Towards Medical Applications of Brain Organoids” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A
● Silvia Inglese (Policlinico of Milan) – Commentary – 10 min

17:00

Coffee Break – 10 min

17:10

Closing Remarks for Day 1
● Brian Earp (National University of Singapore) – 20 min

Day 2 (Tuesday, November 12, 2024)

9:00am 

Session 5: Legal Aspects
● Naoya Nagaishi & Masatoshi Kokubo (University of Tokyo) – “Can HBOs Have Legal Status? From a Neurolaw Perspective” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A
● Tsung-Ling Lee (Taipei Medical University) – “Evaluating Neuroprivacy Concerns in Human Brain Organoid Research” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A

10:10

 Coffee Break – 10 min

10:20

Session 6: Ways Forward
● Tamami Fukushi (Tokyo Online University) – “ELSI and RRI of Neurotechnology: Suggestions for Brain Organoid R&D” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A
● Eisuke Nakazawa (University of Tokyo) – “Neuroethics of Brain Tissue and Brain Banks” – 25 min + 10 min Q&A

11:30

Final Presentation
● Julian Savulescu (National University of Singapore) – “The Challenge of Brain Organoids” – 20 min

Speakers

  • Brian Earp (National University of Singapore)
  • Alexandre Erler (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan)
  • Tamami Fukushi (Tokyo Online University, Japan)
  • Shu Ishida (Hiroshima University, Japan)
  • Brett Kagan (Cortical Lab, Australia)
  • Masanori Kataoka (Hiroshima University, Japan)
  • Julian Koplin (University of Melbourne, Australia)
  • Andrea Lavazza (Pegaso University, Italy)
  • Tsung-Ling Lee (Taipei Medical University, Taiwan)
  • Ilhak Lee & Ji Hyun Yang (Yonsei University, Korea)
  • Takuya Niikawa (Kobe University, Japan)
  • Naoya Nagaishi & Masatoshi Kokubo (University of Tokyo, Japan)
  • Eisuke Nakazawa (University of Tokyo, Japan)
  • Koji Ota (University of Tsukuba, Japan)
  • Tsutomu Sawai (Hiroshima University, Japan)
  • Julian Savulescu (National University of Singapore, Singapore)

Commentator

● Silvia Inglese (Policlinico of Milan, Italy)

Registration

Register Here

Interested participants will join the session via Zoom, as in-person attendance is via invitation only.
 If you would like to attend in person, please reach out directly to Professor Tsutomu Sawai.