Organoids, organs-on-chips, complex in vitro model: Definitions, applications, validation, ethics

Abstract

Over the past decade, new in vitro biological models have emerged which can reproduce certain characteristics of human physiology and pathologies. From organoids to organs-on-chips, these new technologies are currently revolutionizing the entire chain of research and development in pharmacology. All stakeholders are thus involved, from academic laboratories to pharmaceutical companies, start-ups, and assessment agencies. By providing better predictability, these new human biomimetic models also help address societal and ethical challenges regarding the place and use of animals in biomedical research. In this context, participants at the Ateliers de Giens (Giens Workshops) roundtable wished to examine the issues related to these new technologies with their various expertise and, given the stakes involved in the medicine and pharmacology of the future, formulate several recommendations aimed at strengthening the national structuring of the academic and industrial sector, therefore accelerating the development and validation of these new models.

Keywords: CIVM; Ethics; Organ on chip; Organoid; Stem cells.