Research on artificial wombs have been ongoing for years, and some advisors for the US FDA are now in talks about moving forward to human trials, and how to navigate that delicate line. These devices are designed not to replace an actual human uterus, but merely as a means to help premature babies survive.
In most of the technologies, the infant would float in a clear “biobag,” surrounded by fluid. The idea is that preemies could spend a few weeks continuing to develop in this device after birth, so that “when they’re transitioned from the device, they’re more capable of surviving and having fewer complications with conventional treatment,” says George Mychaliska, a pediatric surgeon at the University of Michigan.
As with any technology, uncertainty surrounds its effectiveness with humans and since we will be dealing with human life, especially the most vulnerable of human life, it's going to be difficult to figure out how we can test the viability of this device. Despite tests having been done on animals, as with research similar to this like cloning, there is a degree of risk that might cross the line when it comes to the ethics of testing these procedures or devices on humans. MIT Technology Review looks into what human testing for artificial wombs will look like, when it might happen, and who might be the first test subjects.
(Image credit: Alexander Grey/Unsplash)