Artificial wombs.

words by Stephanie posted August 30, 2005 - 9:31pm

From foetus to full term - without a mother's touch

Sorry to be a blog hog today but what do you all think about the potential development of fetuses developing in artificial wombs? An article from the Times today says:

ARTIFICIAL wombs, to bring a foetus of a human being to full term outside a woman s body, could become a reality within 20 years, scientists have predicted.

My initial reaction: as someone who wants children but is not eager to go through 9 months of pregnancy and horrendously painful childbirth, I'm rather excited about the possibility. Although I can definitely see that it raises a lot of other issues and questions. And I really can't imagine that such a technology could really be equal or superior to a natural womb. But who knows?

Do you think this would solve the unwanted pregnancy issue at all? Would it cut out the need for abortions? Imagine that the over 1 million pregnancies terminated every single year in this country were instead incubated in these artificial wombs. Would that be a good thing? Would pro-lifers go for it? Would feminists?


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ol cranky's picture
not to sound rude or anything
Comment by ol cranky posted August 30, 2005 - 9:49pm

if you're concern is a rough labor and painful delivery, what's wrong with adoption?

As for the artificial womb and embryo/fetus transplants (this is an idea that I first heard bandied about when I was in HS/college in the 80s), there are a lot of ethical issues to be considered. Aside from perfecting in vitro gestation, they'd also have to perfect harvesting and transplantation of an implanted embryo/fetus. Pro-lifers should be dead set against this since unsuccessful attempts would be abortion (and the success rate in the beginning would be very low).

I would guess that if available, it may decrease abortions in cases of maternal health issues but not in cases of people that don't want to have a child to put it up for adoption (this would be a later stage embryo adoption with the end result being the same as putting a child up for adoption) or in cases of fetal defect.

On top of all that, giving the government the ability to grow babies in vitro has a lot of room for abuse.


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As for adopting ...
Comment by Stephanie posted August 31, 2005 - 2:08pm

I wouldn't say I have a big problem with adoption but recent discussions on the class issue related to adoption does concern me. Also, I am willing to go through pregnancy and childbirth ... I just don't really love the idea.

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Wasn't it Falwell that said
Comment by DreamOfPeace posted August 30, 2005 - 10:08pm

Babies conceived in a dish had no souls. I'm betting the Christians are against it, but like Ol' Cranky said, I'm betting the gov't will be for it.

And Stephenie, great posts today....never worry about hogging space.

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media girl's picture
But Cylons are fundamentalist evangelists
Comment by media girl posted August 31, 2005 - 11:16am

Imagine breeding people with the "God gene"! All the power you could acquire! All that federal money coming your way! Breed the God gene and you could rule the world!


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Did Falwell really say that?
Comment by Stephanie posted August 31, 2005 - 2:12pm

Why am I not surprised? Falwell really should quit while he's ahead.

thanks dreamofpeace ... being rather new here, I just don't want to overstep my welcome. :-) If I'm not mistaken, on DKos there is a limit to posts I think so I wasn't sure if I was violating any rules.

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artemisia's picture
rules
Comment by artemisia posted August 31, 2005 - 3:43pm

we're not really into rules here. our only rule is to be respectful. your posts are great. please keep them coming!


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I saw your question at work tody
Comment by DreamOfPeace posted August 31, 2005 - 10:19pm

It was a long time ago - around the time of Baby M. Pre-Web. I can find references to bumper stickers that said that and phrases like "Christians were saying test tube babies had no souls." But no specific names or references, but I'm almost certain it was Falwell, because later when he made the remark about the TelaTubbies, I remember making a link.

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ol cranky's picture
I couldn't find a link with Falwell or Roberston saying it
Comment by ol cranky posted September 1, 2005 - 12:11am

but I did find this


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