Ectogenesis

Ectogenesis is the name given to the conception and maturation of a mammalian embryo in an artificial uterus .

definition

In a broader sense, ectogenesis is understood to mean the entire process of development from fertilization to birth , when this development takes place outside the womb. In humans , despite the advances in the field of reproductive medicine , this is currently not technically feasible and corresponding projects would raise far-reaching ethical and criminal problems.

Current developments

Current methods are limited to the early phases of embryonic development, i.e. artificial insemination (e.g. in the form of in vitro fertilization ), after which the embryo is implanted in the uterus and continues to mature there until birth . In the case of complete ectogenesis outside the womb, this further development would have to take place in an artificial uterus . Aldous Huxley anticipated such a concept in his novel Brave New World . In fact, such a method is being researched at various institutes today.

Ethical aspects

The state of medicine in this field and the ethical implications were the subject of a congress at the University of Oklahoma in 2002 under the title "The Artificial Womb and Designer Babies". Should complete ectogenesis become technically feasible, this would in particular have an impact on the debate about abortion ; this is based on the previously applicable requirement that an embryo is not viable outside the womb; however, progress in the medical field could possibly change this in the foreseeable future.

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