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FDA discusses using artificial wombs to help save preemie babies

posted 9 months ago by robocat893 (14364)
10 replies | jump to latest

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration met Wednesday to discuss something that was once thought to be only science fiction: the use of artificial wombs that could potentially help premature babies survive, if tested in humans one day.

Exactly as it sounds, an artificial womb is an artificially-created environment that mimics the womb, something like a fluid-filled container with lines and tubes attached to the babies' blood vessels, similar to an umbilical cord, to provide nutrients and medications.

Theoretically, an extremely premature infant, one born at less than 28 weeks gestation, could be placed in the device so that they could grow and develop normally, as if they were still in the womb.

This is amazing technology but it's going to be a long time before it's feasible.

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/fda-discusses-using-artificial-wombs-145800957.html

[–] samoanjoes (53090) 9 months ago

While I appreciate the attempt to help out a premature baby, this feels extremely unnatural. It feels like taking taking food out of the oven long before its time, and sticking it in the microwave to finish the job.

[–] KLPE (525) 9 months ago

Trannies rejoice.

[–] jriley555 (7241) 9 months ago

This is the sort of post where your true colors come out.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (20767) 9 months ago

Definitely a creepy post.

[–] KLPE (525) 9 months ago

[–] jriley555 (7241) 9 months ago

My response is the sort of post where one of my own less attractive 'true colors' comes out - being an over-the-top jerk.

Apologies, KLPE - you were just being weird, I didn't get the joke, and, well, went the jerk route.

[–] KLPE (525) 9 months ago

No problem. 👍

[–] jriley555 (7241) 9 months ago

Agree. Given the myriad developmental infirmities that preemies are subject to, endure after - which could prevented with a full-term functional womb environment - this would be a magnificent therapy. I expect it to be developed without doubt. The question is time.

That said, getting the balance right in terms of the placental blood is a huge challenge - everything else is probably secondary.

[–] [deleted] 9 months ago

sounds good. preemies are special. they fight to survive.

[–] Otter (24464) 9 months ago

I don't know that this will ever come to pass. I don't even see how they can keep an "artificial womb" sterile, much less arrange circulatory support in a tiny preemie.