Organoids are 3D biological structures constructed from stem cells in vitro. They partially mimic the function of real organs. Although the number of articles detailing this technology has increased in recent years, papers debating their ethical issues are few. In addition, many of such articles outline a mere summary of potential ethical concerns associated with organoids, although some have focused on consciousness assessment or organoid use in cystic fibrosis treatment. This article seeks to evaluate the moral status of cerebral organoids and to determine under which conditions their use should be allowed from a bioethical standpoint. We will present an overview of recent steps in developing highly advanced cerebral organoids, followed by an analysis of their ethics based on three factors: human origin, a specific biological threshold (which, once crossed, grants an entity moral status), and the potential to generate human beings. We will also make practical recommendations for researchers working in this biological field.

Background: The biliary complications (BC) have been always considered the „Achilles’ heel” of liver transplantation (LT), being one of the leading causes of postoperative morbidity. Aim: To analyse predictors of BC, by monitoring in the peripheral blood the biomarkers involved in the inflammation and hepatic fibrosis, such as the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP 2, 9) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP1), the interleukins (IL 2, 8), alfa-TNF, the endothelins and their receptors.Methods: Thirty LT patients were followed-up prospectively for 5 years. The mRNA for the following biomarkers was quantified in the peripheral blood by qRTPCR and protein expression investigated by ELISA: MMP 2, 9, TIMP1, IL 2, IL 8, TNF-alfa, and endothelins and their receptors.Results: Five patients developed anastomotic stenosis (AS). There was no difference regarding mRNA levels for all studied genes between AS and non-AS patients. Two cytokines were significantly different: pre-LT TNF alpha was higher in the non-AS group and post-LT endothelin-1 at day 7 and month 3 were higher in the AS group. There was a trend for lower levels of serum cytokines for patients without AS compared to patients with AS.Conclusion: BC play an important role in the patients‘ postoperative morbidity and molecular biomarkers prediction should improve their early recognition and treatment..Abbreviations: ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AS: anastomotic stenosis; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; BC: Biliary complications ; HBV: hepatitis B virus; HCV: hepatitis C virus; HDV: hepatitis D virus; HSC: hepatic stellate cells; IL: interleukin; IR: ischemia reperfusion; LT: liver transplantation ; MMP: matrix metalloproteinases; TIMP: metalloproteinases tissue inhibitor; TGF: tumor growth factor; TNF: tumor necrosis factor.