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Scientists To Grow 'Mini-Brains' Using Neanderthal DNA (theguardian.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the brain-in-a-jar dept.

Scientists will grow small amounts of tissue, known as brain organoids, from human stem cells that have been edited to contain "Neanderthalized" versions of several genes. "The lentil-sized organoids, which are incapable of thoughts or feelings, replicate some of the basic structures of an adult brain," reports The Guardian. "They could demonstrate for the first time if there were meaningful differences between human and Neanderthal brain biology." From the report: The latest work focuses on differences in three genes known to be crucial for brain development. Using the editing technique Crispr, changes have been introduced into human stem cells to make them closer to Neanderthal versions. The stem cells are coaxed using chemical triggers to become neurons, which spontaneously clump together and self-organize into miniature brain-like structures that grow to a few millimeters in diameter. The lack of any sensory input means the internal wiring is haphazard and varies from one blob to the next. The scientists will compare the Neanderthalized organoids and the fully human ones to assess the speed at which the stem cells divide, develop and organize into three-dimensional brain structures and whether the brain cells wire up differently. The work won't reveal which species is "smarter," but could hint at differences in the ability to plan, socialize and use language.

8 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. We have plenty of mini brains on Slashdot. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Usually accompanied by an ass bigger than their brain that even a goat could see.

  2. I don't like where this is headed... by ScentCone · · Score: 5, Funny

    This seems dangerous and offensive. There are no differences between any two brains. Everyone is the same and always was. Just because the Neanderthals get a bad narrative from the Patriarchy doesn't mean that everyone from Mediterranean Europe is inferior to those white privilege cro-mag ice people from the north. Even studying this should be illegal, because it may cause sensitive students to question the fact that every person is identical in every way.

    --
    Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
    1. Re:I don't like where this is headed... by Type44Q · · Score: 3, Informative

      ...those white privilege cro-mag ice people from the north

      Jesting aside, the 'pure cro-mags' are sub-Saharan Africans; the rest of us - particularly those from 'The North' - are the bastard half-breeds (~2% Neanderthal or Denisovian/Neanderthal).

    2. Re:I don't like where this is headed... by ScentCone · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Jesting aside, the 'pure cro-mags' are sub-Saharan Africans; the rest of us - particularly those from 'The North' - are the bastard half-breeds (~2% Neanderthal or Denisovian/Neanderthal).

      I know. Mostly, it's entertaining to just make fun of the people who seem to have completely incoherent ideas about the heritage of both the populations they love to hate, and the populations they're trying so hard to pretend aren't any different but are but aren't but are but need taking care of but that would be condescending but not but I guess we should just all feel guilty.

      --
      Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
  3. Just great by reboot246 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    More Facebook users. Just what the world needs!

  4. "Abby Normal"? by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 3, Funny

    Who's that?

  5. All this tip toeing is ridiculous.... by shaitand · · Score: 2

    If you want to grow and study some human brain tissue just do that. The minute one of your experiments communicates it isn't cool with it, THEN you have an ethical problem until then projecting human feelings and ethics on lumps of meat, protein, insects, and animals is just anthromorphic nonsense hindering progress.

  6. Re:imho, what a waste of money by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How about spending money solving issues like corruption, disease and poverty?

    The root cause of many social problems is too many stupid people.

    The average inmate IQ is America's prisons is 89. It is even lower for violent offenders.

    Smoking, obesity, and many other health issues are correlated with low intelligence.

    Income differs by about $6000/yr for every 10 points above or below the mean IQ.

    Better understanding of brain development is one of the most important things we can do to address these problems.