Spring Break
A scientific compromise
Ectogenesis may satisfy a long debate
By: Midhat Farooqi
Issue date: 9/30/03 Section: Opinion
"'Human beings used to be ... ' he hesitated; the blood rushed to his cheeks. 'Well, they used to be viviparous.'" So wrote Aldous Huxley in his classic novel, "Brave New World." Huxley predicted that humans in the future would no longer give birth naturally, but instead, be grown in glass test tubes. The stuff of science fiction novels, however, is quickly becoming reality.
Researchers are getting even closer to developing a technique known as ectogenesis: the process by which a fetus develops into a baby in an environment outside of the mother. Experts estimate that ectogenesis could be possible within the next five years.
As weird as it may sound, this technology is not something to fear. Aside from helping infertile couples, ectogenesis may be able to do the impossible: settle the debate over abortion. Both sides of the debate should come together to support this developing procedure.
The science of ectogenesis is still in its infancy, leading some to believe that ectogenesis will never exist. However, Dr. Hung-Ching Liu of Cornell University in New York has already developed an artificial womb. His research group also discovered that embryos can attach to the walls of this synthetic womb and begin to grow.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yoshinori Kuwabara of Juntendo University in Japan has created an ectogenetic chamber: a tank connected to a machine that brings oxygen and nutrients to the fetus developing inside. Kuwabara has already delivered goats from this chamber, and says that his ectogenetic chamber could be ready for a human fetus in the next five years.
Critics of ectogenesis may call it dehumanizing and unnatural, which is odd. Ectogenesis is merely an artificial means to sustain life, and, by this definition, it is no different than life support.
Plus, the end result of pregnancy and ectogenesis is a normal human baby, navel and all; one is not less human than the other. And while ectogenesis may entail an unnatural delivery, so does a Caesarean section.
Researchers are getting even closer to developing a technique known as ectogenesis: the process by which a fetus develops into a baby in an environment outside of the mother. Experts estimate that ectogenesis could be possible within the next five years.
As weird as it may sound, this technology is not something to fear. Aside from helping infertile couples, ectogenesis may be able to do the impossible: settle the debate over abortion. Both sides of the debate should come together to support this developing procedure.
The science of ectogenesis is still in its infancy, leading some to believe that ectogenesis will never exist. However, Dr. Hung-Ching Liu of Cornell University in New York has already developed an artificial womb. His research group also discovered that embryos can attach to the walls of this synthetic womb and begin to grow.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yoshinori Kuwabara of Juntendo University in Japan has created an ectogenetic chamber: a tank connected to a machine that brings oxygen and nutrients to the fetus developing inside. Kuwabara has already delivered goats from this chamber, and says that his ectogenetic chamber could be ready for a human fetus in the next five years.
Critics of ectogenesis may call it dehumanizing and unnatural, which is odd. Ectogenesis is merely an artificial means to sustain life, and, by this definition, it is no different than life support.
Plus, the end result of pregnancy and ectogenesis is a normal human baby, navel and all; one is not less human than the other. And while ectogenesis may entail an unnatural delivery, so does a Caesarean section.
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