This idea may seem like it was
lifted straight out of science fiction; ectogenesis, the process of growing a baby in an
artificial womb. However, technological advances have made this a very real possibility
in the near future. In 2017, researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia managed to keep
lamb fetuses alive in “bio-bags” – nutrient rich bags of fluid – for 4 weeks.
The key to functional ectogenesis is reproducing the conditions inside the womb as closely as
possible. Much research is already ongoing in this direction, as scientists approach the problem
in two directions; how to keep embryos alive as long as possible before implantation, and how to
keep fetuses viable in progressively earlier deliveries. When these two approaches meet in the
middle, we may be on the way to a truly functional artificial womb, capable of growing a fully
developed human.
The consequences of developing such a technology are enormous. It poses a plethora of new issues
to tackle – will this become a new advantage for the privileged? How will insurance approach
these new developments? What new dimensions will we have to think about on abortion rights?
Nonetheless, the potential for good is equally powerful. Gender equality would advance as
parental roles are equalized. New opportunities for genetic parenthood would be opened for gay
and trans individuals. It may also provide a safer alternative for traditional pregnancy by
eliminating risks posed by external factors such as nutritional imbalances or drug usage. The
potential of such technology is immense, and the many transformative changes it could have in
society highlight the need to have discussions about it before it arrives.