World’s first artificial womb facility lets you make ‘customized’ babies
In the not-so-distant future, a groundbreaking vision of childbirth is emerging, challenging traditional notions. Picture a factory-like setting where rows of babies grow inside futuristic pods, a scene that, until recently, existed solely in the realm of imagination.
EctoLife, the world’s first artificial womb facility introduced on December 9, 2022, by Berlin-based filmmaker and science communicator Hashem Al-Ghaili, is just a concept at this stage.
The technology presents a solution for those grappling with infertility or womb-related issues. It envisions a method for parents to create customised babies. The concept extends beyond the individual to offer a remedy for nations struggling with low populations, providing hope for infertile couples to experience the profound joy of biological parenthood.
The facility promises a secure alternative to high-risk pregnancies, addressing the myriad challenges women often confront, from anemia to mental health issues, with potentially fatal consequences for both mother and child. EctoLife offers preventive measures against these complications and envisions a future where the risks associated with full-term pregnancies are alleviated.
The innovative feature of internal speakers within EctoLife pods adds another dimension by playing a diverse array of music and words in a way that babies can recognize languages and learn while still in the pods. Additionally, an app allows you to monitor the baby's growth, have a choice of playlist the baby listens to, and have the ability to sing directly to them to gain familiarity with your voice before birth.
But perhaps the most controversial yet intriguing facet of EctoLife is the 'Elite Package.' It opens the door to genetic engineering, enabling parents to select specific traits for their offspring, from eye and hair color to intelligence and physical strength. It offers a solution for women who have undergone uterine removal surgeries. Hashem Al-Ghaili asserts the scientific feasibility of this technology, highlighting ethical restrictions as the primary barrier to its development.
The facility boasts 75 well-equipped labs, each accommodating up to 400 growth pods or artificial wombs. A single building can incubate up to 30,000 lab-grown babies annually, with real-time developmental data displayed on screens and accessible via a phone app, empowering parents with insights into their baby's growth.
EctoLife ensures an infection-free haven, with pods designed to repel germs. Sensors monitor vital signs, and an AI system detects potential genetic abnormalities thanks to the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool.
As the story unfolds, the question lingers: would you use it? EctoLife asks us to look at where science meets life and consider what it truly means to become a parent in this changing world.
Once again, it is still a concept.
