Recently,
scientists from the
Cornell University's Center for Reproductive Medicine and
Infertility have created an artificial womb that allows
embryos to grow outside the human body.
They are created with cells from the mothers'
uterus, by removing cells from the
endometrium and growing them on a
biodegradable scaffold. The cells then grow around the scaffold, using
hormones and growth factors. The scaffold later dissolves leaving the artificial uterus intact. Finally, embryos left over from
in vitro fertilization are placed on the lab-engineered
tissue and begin to settle.
To adhere to
IVF legislation, the experiment was
terminated after 6 days (the laws dictate they must be halted before 14 days).
The intent of this
research is to allow women with
reproductive problems to still bear
children. The
artificial wombs could be made from a woman's own cells, eliminating
rejections.
This research does have some ethical problems.
Dr Scott Gelfand, of
Oklahoma State University in a statement said "some
feminists say
artificial wombs mean men could eliminate women from the planet and still perpetuate our species." The right wing lobby fears that this technology would allow
gay couples to have children. It also has implications with working women and
maternity leave.