Beware the ‘Bodyoids’

Here come the “bodyoids” — maybe. Earlier this year, a group of academics speculated enthusiastically about the possibility that we may soon be able to develop entire human bodies, complete with everything — except brains. In MIT Technology Review, they gushed about the utility of “a potentially unlimited source of human bodies, developed entirely outside of a human body from stem cells, that lack sentience or the ability to feel pain.” They could be used to test therapies for non-bodyoids, and as a source of . . . spare parts.

“Many will find the concept grotesque or appalling,” they admit, adding that “just because something can be done does not mean it should be done.” That such a bizarre idea is even being discussed is a sign that it is probably closer to being feasible than we’re ready for.

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Jack Butler

Jack Butler is a former submissions editor at National Review.

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Here come the “bodyoids” — maybe. Earlier this year, a group of academics speculated enthusiastically about the possibility that we may soon be able to develop entire human bodies, complete with everything — except brains. In MIT Technology Review, they gushed about the utility of “a potentially unlimited source of human bodies, developed entirely outside of a human body from stem cells, that lack sentience or the ability to feel pain.” They could be used to test therapies for non-bodyoids, and as a source of . . . spare parts.

“Many will find the concept grotesque or appalling,” they admit, adding that “just because something can be done does not mean it should be done.” That such a bizarre idea is even being discussed is a sign that it is probably closer to being feasible than we’re ready for.