Understanding Artificial Womb Technology for Preterm Infants

Artificial womb technology, also known as ectogenesis, refers to the development of an external system that can provide an environment similar to the mother's womb to support the growth and development of a fetus outside the body. While this technology has been a topic of speculation and research for many years, artificial wombs are still in the experimental stage and have not been widely used in clinical settings.According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Technology Review, artificial wombs are experimental medical devices that are biobags filled with fluid that can theoretically hold a premature infant while they continue developing.While artificial womb technology has many potential benefits, including mimicking the womb, reducing infection risk, and extending the gestational period, the primary goal of developing it is to provide a nurturing environment for premature babies who are born before they have fully developed and are unable to survive independently.