Millions of babies are born prematurely across our world. The World Health Organization reports that the leading cause of death for children under 5 years of age is complications resulting from premature births. Such a problem has likely existed since before recorded history.
We see society's attempt to mitigate the issue of these senseless deaths through pictures of extensive families. People would have many kids as a possibility existed that many would not survive. Society, however, works to apply new and developing technologies to stem the tide.
Patent #2,723,660
On November 15, 1955, a scientist named E.M. Greenberg submitted Patent #2,723,660 to the United States Patent Office. Greenberg's patent represented a noble cause. He recognized that the deaths of so many premature babies could have been avoided.
He conceptualized an artificial uterus capable of caring for a fetus from premature birth to the end of delivery. Unfortunately, as the design was conceptual, the technology did not exist to see his design to practical application. Yet, the patent was not without use. It details how the device should function. It was rudimentary, but for the 1950s, the design provided enough information to allow further research into the technology to continue.
The patent is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the detail. The design allows for inspection of the baby at every stage of development following its placement within the device. It maintains the temperature of the containment and even filtration of all wastes emanating from the process. The information provided was undoubtedly enough to drive technological development over the decades. However, public research into this design for artificial fetus development was ethically impossible.
Technological Development
In the decades following Dr. Greenberg's patent, science continued pushing the boundaries of fetal development. Some notable and public successes in this area include the following:
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 1969 | French scientists keep a baby sheep alive in an artificial womb for 2 days. |
| 1992 | Japanese scientists placed baby goats in artificial wombs three-quarters of the way through their birth and were able to maintain them until delivery. The baby goats were alive and healthy. |
| 2019 | The European Union provided 2.9 million in funds to researchers at the Eindhoven University of Technology for the development of a human artificial womb prototype. |
| 2021 | Researchers in Isreal successfully developed an artificial womb that sustained mice through half of their gestational period. |
| 2022 | Researchers in China created an artificial intelligence program to monitor the development within artificial wombs. |
Science moves towards eliminating the dangers posed to human embryos during their development. However, like any other form of technological development, it is not without its moral and ethical implications.
Full-Scale Conceptual Model
The Vision
On December 9, 2022, Hashem Al-Ghaili, a self-described "producer, filmmaker, and science communicator", released his vision of EctoLife upon the world. He presents his dream to the world as a YouTube video just under 9 minutes long.
Ectolife
Ectolife, according to Hashem, is a futuristic facility that produces upwards of 30,000 babies per year. The facility completely replaces the need for natural birth.
While farfetched and seemingly beyond any possible technological achievement, Hashem's vision is possible. Many of the technologies reported by the video are possible, but only at a generic level. Screening for genetic defects, for example, aren't possible within the artificial wombs advertised by the video. However, you can analyze for defects through a blood sample. The technology for screening exists, but not currently in the form needed to allow for the EctoLife platform to exist.
The vision for artificial development is both compelling and dystopian. It provides hope for those who cannot have children conventionally while also providing an avenue for the level of control hinted at in George Orwell's 1984. If my wife and I could not have children, a facility like what's presented would answer our prayers. Would it be worth the cost should we live in a darker society?
See the video for yourself!
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In Closing - Where have I been?
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
I guess when it rains, it pours. Between my slowly progressing Dupuytren's Disease, cataracts, fractured back, and medical negligence I have clearly neglected my activities on Hive.
Cataract surgery on both my eyes is done. Apart from slight halos around lights, the surgery was a success. I can see just as well as I could when I was younger.
It turns out that I developed Dupuytren's disease and cataracts because I lost control of my blood sugar. It required actions on my part to reduce my A1C and body fat to the degree that these conditions would not progress further. I was successful, but my back issues suffered due to my success in controlling diabetes.
I look forward to writing about these in the future.
During the first week of March 2023, I got back surgery to fuse the L5S1 segment of my spine and replace a crushed disc that was causing me endless pain. I've got two implants in my back, but the recovery has been excellent. Regarding Dupuytren's disease, I finally found a doctor to perform radiation therapy on my hands. I'm considering getting the treatment between September and December of this year.
The medical negligence suffered by someone close to my family's heart is breaking me. I can't go further into the issue because we had to seek a lawyer to help us secure the medical care this individual will now require. I never knew hospital bills could be so expensive.
I have to give special thanks to 
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