The rise of manmade conception and gestation tools augured the future of parenthood. Just days ago, scientists created what may be the "best artificial womb yet" and while the team crafted it to give hope to extreme preemies, it might usher a new course for bearing life.
Scientists announced recently that they were successful in making premature lambs stay alive through a fluid-filled BioBag. Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia created the artificial womb solely to save lives, but someday, it might be used for a "convenient" pregnancy, according to WIRED.
Soon enough, BioBag can be a new option for mothers considering synthetic wombs to carry their children for various purposes. For instance, the workplace is an environment that may not be suitable for women carrying infants in their wombs, and this could be where BioBag becomes useful.
Scientists have created an artificial womb resembling a plastic bag that kept premature lambs alive for four weeks https://t.co/VJ9dFCF3Ve pic.twitter.com/QTzzpTP0FG
— CNN (@CNN) April 26, 2017
A growing number of studies already proved that stress at work could be detrimental in the long-term health of an unborn child. Per Atlantic, babies in womb — whom scientists considered as a "perfect parasite —received their nutrition from their mother and at the same time, get affected with their daily stressors like work.
The future could make biological conception at first trimester and synthetic on the second and third possible. This concept could be ideal for parents who do not want to compromise the health of their unborn children while keeping they hard-earned careers.
Aside from pregnancy, abortion could change its definition as this synthetic tool gets normalized and improved. This could give a new look at the concept of fetus viability, or as Supreme Court defined as fetus' right to "prolonged life outside the mother's womb."
Artificial wombs can impact the idea of the beginning of life. Viable fetuses in 41 states, including those in respirators, start at 24 weeks gestation, according to Washington Post.
Currently, BioBags could support life from at least 22 weeks, just two notches down 24 weeks fetal viability. There are chances that artificial wombs can be improved to cater younger fetuses, and with this, it will impact the abortion law in almost the entire United States.
The rise of artificial conception instruments yields so many possibilities that may change the course of becoming a parent. There may be positive bearings from the advancement, but it can also pose threats that can redefine parenthood as we know it.
Vanished biological parenthood was said to be one of the signs of dystopic times. Whether you agree or not, one thing may be sure — what science can do is extremely overwhelming.
Do you think of these possibilities are boon or bane to humans? Let us know what you think by commenting below!
