Ethics of biohybrid robotics and invertebrate research: Biohybrid robotic jellyfish as a case study

Xu, Nicole W; Lenczewska, Olga; Wieten, Sarah E; Federico, Carole A; Dabiri, John O

Abstract

Invertebrate research ethics has largely been ignored compared to the consideration of higher order animals, but more recent focus has questioned this trend. Using the robotic control of Aurelia aurita as a case study, we examine ethical considerations in invertebrate work and provide recommendations for future guidelines. We also analyze these issues for prior bioethics cases, such as cyborg insects and the 'microslavery' of microbes. However, biohybrid robotic jellyfish pose further ethical questions regarding potential ecological consequences as ocean monitoring tools, including the impact of electronic waste in the ocean. After in-depth evaluations, we recommend that publishers require brief ethical statements for invertebrate research, and we delineate the need for invertebrate nociception studies to revise or validate current standards. These actions provide a stronger basis for the ethical study of invertebrates, with implications for individual, species-wide, and ecological impacts, as well as for studies in science, engineering, and philosophy. [Abstract copyright: Creative Commons Attribution license.]

Citation

Xu, N. W., Lenczewska, O., Wieten, S. E., Federico, C. A., & Dabiri, J. O. (in press). Ethics of biohybrid robotics and invertebrate research: Biohybrid robotic jellyfish as a case study. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-3190/adc0d4

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 14, 2025
• Deposit Date: Mar 31, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 31, 2025
• Journal: Bioinspiration & biomimetics
• Print ISSN: 1748-3182
• Electronic ISSN: 1748-3190
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-3190/adc0d4
• Keywords: invertebrate ethics, Aurelia aurita, ethics, jellyfish, animal modification, biohybrid robot
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3745642