Scientists Basically Made a Living Emoji and It's Terrifying

The small "brain organoids" were observed growing two "symmetrical optic cups" in a manner similar to human embryos and appear to be functional — reacting to light and sending signals to the brain tissue. The mass of organic matter isn't much more than a yellow-ish mass with two black dots off to one side and it isn't the most visually intimidating homunculus we've ever seen, but it's more so the ramifications of such a thing existing that is bound to keep us awake at night.

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According to the researchers, the brain organoids are intended to help scientists understand the way eyes develop and aid in the treatment of rare eye diseases. Neuroscientist Jay Gopalakrishnan of University Hospital Düsseldorf in Germany said "Our work highlights the remarkable ability of brain organoids to generate primitive sensory structures that are light sensitive and harbor cell types similar to those found in the body."

Gopalakrishnan goes on to add, "these organoids can help to study brain-eye interactions during embryo development, model congenital retinal disorders, and generate patient-specific retinal cell types for personalised drug testing and transplantation therapies."

And while we'll have to take the researcher's word that this won't lead to some sort of modern day Frankenstein situation, the internet naturally reacted with horror and morbid fascination. Let's just hope it doesn't end up developing a mouth next.

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