The possibility of growing a baby outside the womb, once relegated to science fiction, is rapidly moving toward reality. Researchers are developing artificial wombs that could significantly improve outcomes for extremely premature infants, prompting complex questions about the future of pregnancy, parenthood, and the very definition of life.
The Cliff Edge of Viability and the Quest for More Time
Beth Schafer’s story exemplifies the precariousness of premature births. Her son, born at just 23 weeks of gestation, was teetering on the “cliff edge of viability” – the fragile threshold where modern medicine can offer a chance for survival. Babies born this early face severe health risks, often requiring extensive medical intervention and risking lifelong complications. In the US alone, over 10,000 infants are born each year within these vulnerable boundaries, making premature birth the nation’s second leading cause of infant death.
A Glimpse of the Future: Artificial Wombs in Development
The idea of an artificial womb isn’t new, but recent advancements are bringing it closer to clinical use. In 2017, researchers in Philadelphia unveiled a prototype designed to sustain fetal development outside the human body. Initial animal studies, particularly with fetal lambs kept alive for 28 days, demonstrated the feasibility of an artificial womb’s ability to maintain blood circulation and organ development.
How it Works: Mimicking the Womb’s Environment
AquaWomb, a Dutch startup, is among the leaders in developing artificial wombs. Their prototype, resembling a large fishtank, aims to replicate the conditions of the womb. The vessel maintains a constant temperature, and a double-layered bag inside mimics the gradual stretching and growth experienced during pregnancy. A human-made placenta, lined with delicate catheters and cannulas, delivers oxygen and nutrients while removing waste, aiming to sustain the baby’s vital functions. If this process fails, two minutes is all the time left before irreversible damage.
The Challenges and Ethical Considerations
The development of artificial wombs isn’t without hurdles. Researchers face challenges related to safety, long-term health outcomes, and the potential for misuse. Beyond the technical hurdles lies a complex web of ethical considerations.
- Parental Bonding and Emotional Well-being: Seeing a baby suspended in a tank or sealed in a bag could alter parents’ connection to their child and even their sense of self as a caregiver.
- Informed Consent: When parents are desperate to save their babies, how can doctors ensure informed consent regarding the risks and benefits of artificial womb technology?
- Accessibility and Equity: If artificial wombs become available, who will have access to this potentially life-saving technology, and how can equity in access be ensured?
A Support Group’s Perspective: Grief, Hope, and “What Ifs”
The story of Beth Schafer’s support group highlights the emotional toll of premature loss and the desire for alternative interventions. Parents in the group grapple with grief, guilt, and a constant longing for “what ifs.” The prospect of an artificial womb offers a glimmer of hope, but it also reignites a painful sense of loss and the question of whether more intervention is always better.
A Future in Development
While artificial wombs hold immense promise, they are still years away from widespread clinical use. Continued research, careful ethical consideration, and open public dialogue will be essential to navigate this new frontier in reproductive technology responsibly, ensuring that the technology serves the best interests of both infants and their families.
The entire field operates with guarded secrecy, and while the technology could be revolutionary, researchers are wary of the implications. As van Ven aptly puts it, “in science, there’s evolutionary and there’s revolutionary”
