Skip to main content

What are mini brains? - Madeline Lancaster

598,172 Views

6,003 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Shielded by our thick skulls and swaddled in layers of protective tissue, the human brain is extremely difficult to observe in action. Luckily, scientists can use brain organoids — pencil-eraser-sized masses of cells that function like human brains but aren’t part of an organism — to look closer. How do they do it? And is it ethical? Madeline Lancaster shares how to make a brain in a lab.

Can you think of any ethical questions that might arise from growing mini brain organoids in a laboratory setting?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Madeline Lancaster
  • Script Editor Elizabeth Cox
  • Animator Adam Wells
  • Composer Chris Reed
  • Sound Designer Chris Reed
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Associate Producer Elizabeth Cox, Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Director Adam Wells
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

More from Getting Under Our Skin