Various news outlets are reporting on work published in Nature Communications (open, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15112) (DX) on:
[...] a system that incorporates a pumpless oxygenator circuit connected to the fetus of a lamb via an umbilical cord interface that is maintained within a closed 'amniotic fluid' circuit that closely reproduces the environment of the womb. [...] fetal lambs that are developmentally equivalent to the extreme premature human infant can be physiologically supported in this extra-uterine device for up to 4 weeks.
Coverage:
Related stories:
Scientists Keep Human Embryos Alive Longer Outside of the Womb
Prematurely Born Lambs Kept Alive With Artificial External Placenta - Human Babies Could be Next
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Friday April 28 2017, @01:28AM (5 children)
The implication when you can combine sperm and egg donations together with a artificial womb is mind boggling. Industrial scale soldier production or mail-order-baby ?
I think the society better watch out.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Friday April 28 2017, @01:32AM
This current technology only works on fetuses developed enough to have a heart.
(That is what "pumpless" is about in TFS: the heart serves as the blood circulation pump.)
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 28 2017, @01:37AM
Which society? Killing your own clone is considered unlawful murder according to Bajoran law; killing your own clone is considered lawful abortion by Federation law. Have fun with jurisdiction.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 28 2017, @01:40AM
Make anything you want in the lab from start to finish.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by AthanasiusKircher on Friday April 28 2017, @02:26AM (1 child)
Or... you know, Brave New World.
(Score: 2) by Hartree on Friday April 28 2017, @02:50AM
"Or... you know, Brave New World."
Hush, or I'll put alcohol in your blood surrogate.