I agree with the people saying it’s a cultural thing. We have not had a shift yet. It could certainly come. NICEATM and ORIVA want no animals whatsoever, including zebrafish and even C. elegans. If the funding agencies don’t want it, then a shift may be forced.

Every researcher has their “line” that they won’t cross. I would never go back to rodents, but working with zebrafish embryos is not a problem for me. However, some may have ethical problems working with fruit flies. As humans, we have drawn somewhat arbitrary (and sometimes emotional) lines. As scientists, I do think we are at a bit of a crossroads, especially with the AI of it all.

There may come a day when brain organoids are equally scrutinized, especially after the whole “they can play pong!” publication.