A new scientific concept would relieve the physiological and psychological burden of pregnancy on those who desire it. It provides a startling glimpse into what childbirth might look like in the future.
EctoLife is the world’s first artificial womb facility, allowing infertile couples to conceive a child and become true biological parents of their own children.
EctoLife, which is still just a concept, is the creation of Berlin-based producer, filmmaker, and science communicator Hashem Al-Ghaili, who has assembled the most recent scientific developments in the field of childbirth and helped to shape the course of the future.
It is based on more than 50 years of an innovative scientific studies carried out by researchers across the globe.
Premature births and C-sections will be a thing of the past thanks to EctoLife.
The demands of parents who are fed up with waiting for an adoption agency to respond and those who are concerned about pregnancy complications would finally be met by society.
But most importantly, according to Al-Ghaili, EctoLife might make it possible for us to face the infertility crisis head-on. Additionally, he claims that it is the ideal solution for women whose uteri were surgically removed due to complications or cancer.
Up to 400 growth pods or artificial wombs can be accommodated in the facility’s 75 highly equipped labs.
Each pod is built to precisely replicate the conditions that exist inside the mother’s uterus. Up to 30,000 lab-grown infants can be incubated in one building each year.
Every growth pod is equipped with sensors that can keep an eye on your baby’s vital signs, such as heartbeat, temperature, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen saturation.
The system, which is based on artificial intelligence, also keeps track of your baby’s physical characteristics and alerts you to any potential genetic anomalies.
Two central bioreactors are connected to these pods. A synthetic umbilical cord is used to deliver nutrients and oxygen to your baby from the first bioreactor.
A liquid solution that simulates the amniotic fluid that surrounds infants in the mother’s uterus is also present in this bioreactor.
The second bioreactor is made to get rid of any waste that babies produce. The waste product is then transformed once more into a consistent and long-lasting supply of fresh nutrients using enzymes.
EctoLife could also enable you to experience what your baby sees and hears. These cameras would also provide you with a continuous video feed of your baby’s developmental progress, allowing you to monitor your child’s progress on your smartphone.
The most viable and genetically superior embryo is created and chosen using in vitro fertilisation before being implanted inside the growth pod to give your baby the best chance to develop without encountering any biological obstacles.
You also have the option to genetically modify the embryo before inserting it into the artificial womb with EctoLife’s Elite Package.
The delivery process is simple and quick, requiring only the push of a button. You will be able to easily remove your baby from the growth pod after discharging the amniotic fluid from the artificial womb.
Pavan Manzoor is an experienced content writer , editor and social media handler along with a track record of youth-oriented activities in Pakistan and abroad. She was selected as a fully-funded delegate as a leadership fellow in Turkey. She also led a team of 5 volunteers at the week-long Young Professionals Fellowship in Maldives. She is also a member of the Youth Standing Committee on Higher Education.
