Moral Foundations Shape Attitudes Toward the Creation of Human Brain Organoids

Previous empirical studies have examined moral attitudes toward the creation of human brain organoids (HBOs), yet the psychological factors shaping these attitudes remain underexplored. This study investigated the relationship between moral attitudes toward creating HBOs and the five moral foundations measured by the Moral Foundations Questionnaire. An online survey was conducted with participants from the United Kingdom and Japan ( N = 783). We found that, across both cultural contexts, the moral foundations of Authority and Purity significantly influenced attitudes toward creating HBOs. Specifically, higher Purity scores were associated with less positive attitudes, whereas higher Authority scores were associated with more positive attitudes. Additional analyses revealed cross-cultural differences: participants in the United Kingdom generally expressed more positive views than those in Japan, and these differences were partly mediated by differences in moral foundations as well as varying levels of trust in scientists. Furthermore, attitudes were more favorable when HBOs were created for the advancement of disease treatment compared to scientific advancement. These findings suggest that moral attitudes toward creating HBOs are shaped by a complex interplay of psychological and cultural factors. Understanding this interplay can enrich discussions in moral psychology and bioethics concerning emerging biotechnologies.