back to article Boffins build 'body-on-a-chip' for drugs tests

Boffins from the Massachusetts Institute for Technology, Northeastern University, and several bio-oriented companies have developed a chip that can be loaded with cells from up to 10 organs for testing how drugs affect the human body. The microfluidic platform – which the researchers refer to as a "physiome-on-a-chip" and …

  1. Pascal Monett Silver badge

    "better prediction of human responses at lower financial and ethical costs"

    Yes, because no one can hear a cell scream.

    I don't like animal tests either, but I like dying a lot less, so I welcome any tech that will allow Humanity to develop new and better treatments whilst not submitting small animals to Mengele-style treatments.

    1. Grikath

      Re: "better prediction of human responses at lower financial and ethical costs"

      You'd still need animal and human testing for most chemicals.

      While this thing is *really* neat, especially in the way it could measure catalysis and metabolisation paths, it cannot predict the neurological and/or hormonal impact on the whole body. Or other bits and bobs that can give nasty side-effects, like our immune system.

      It does save on a lot of rats in the preliminary stages though.

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