The artificial womb

Abstract

The availability of computer-controlled artificial hearts, kidneys, and lungs, as well as the possibility of implanting human embryos in ex vivo uterus models or an artificial endometrium, presents new perspectives for creating an artificial uterus. Survival rates have also improved, with fetuses surviving from as early as 24 weeks of gestation. These advances bring new opportunities for complete or partial ectogenesis through the creation of an artificial womb, one that could sustain the growth and development of fetuses outside of the human body.

The potential and pitfalls of de‐extinction

“…This area of research is still in its infancy, so it is difficult to speculate on whether and when the complete in vitro development of offspring would be achievable. Placenta has also been found to be able to continue to function following abortion, so the possible implantation of placenta in to an artificial uterus could make partial in vitro development possible (Bulletti et al 2011). This would negate the need to construct an artificial placenta, and also means that if an embryo could be kept alive within a surrogate for only a period of the gestation, it could be sufficient to allow development to complete in vitro.…”

Reproductive Technology: A Critical Analysis of Theological Responses in Christianity and Islam

“…Gestational surrogacy (surrogate motherhood) is yet another reproductive technique for treating female infertility—due to absence of uterus (which may soon become obsolete due to the invention of the artificial uterus) (Bulletti et al ). The process involves leasing another woman's uterus (surrogate mother) to bear, beget, and give the baby to the biological parents in lieu of receiving some agreed sum of money as remuneration (Ebrahim , 93; Fadel , 23; Clarke , 193; Sachedina , 45).…”

Une autre manière de fabriquer de la parenté? Des nouvelles techniques de reproduction à l’utérus artificiel

“…C'est à partir des années 1980 et 1990, avec un certain retard par rapport aux prédictions de John B. Haldane, que les recherches ont été menées en Italie, au Japon et aux États-Unis (Bulletti et al, 2011;Chavatte-Palmer et al, 2012). Elles portent d'un côté, en lien avec les FIV, sur le développement préimplantatoire de l'embryon et, de l'autre, sur la période de maturation pendant laquelle il est possible de maintenir le foetus dans un milieu intra-utérin jusqu'à ce que ses chances de survie soient suffisantes.…”

“…Cf. à ce sujet : Bulletti et al (2011), Chavatte-Palmer et al (2012. 37 Descamps relève par exemple dans la presse qu'un enfant « sans grossesse ni accouchement » naîtrait dépourvu d'ombilic.…”