Series| Heretics

Should we grow babies in artificial wombs?

Giving birth is dangerous. Are artificial wombs a solution?
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Full ectogenesis is the idea of conceiving a baby in vitro and gestating the child for the entire gestational period of 40 weeks.

We already have partial ectogenesis implemented in neonatal intensive care units across the world from 21 weeks of gestation to full-term. This means almost half of the gestational period required to make a healthy human being can happen outside of the body already.

Traditional natural gestation is very costly, and it’s often one of the most dangerous things that many women will choose to do. Artificial wombs allow women to choose where they want to direct their labor and their physical resources, while also not sacrificing having children.

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