Artificial womb: opportunities and challenges for public health

Summary: This article discusses the challenges faced by the European Union (EU) maternity and pregnancy rights framework in the context of advances in reproductive technology. Specifically, it explores the potential impact of the introduction of artificial womb technology on existing rights under the framework. By using in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy as a baseline, the article unpacks the challenges that artificial wombs may present and suggests potential avenues for integrating this technology while ensuring the continuation of rights. The article advocates against the stratification of maternity and pregnancy rights based on individual reproductive and gestational choices.

Summary: The concept of artificial placenta and womb technology aims to provide a more physiologic approach to care for extreme premature infants by replacing placental function and establishing a womb-like environment. While past research has had limited success over the past 60 years, recent technological advancements and a focus on mimicking utero-placental physiology have improved the success of experimental models, bringing the technology closer to clinical translation.