Ectogenesis

Ectogenesis (from the Greek ecto, "outer," and genesis) is the growth of an organism in an artificial environment outside the body in which it would normally be found, such as the growth of an embryo or fetus outside the mother's body, or the growth of bacteria outside the body of a host.

Human embryos and fetuses

Further information: Artificial uterus

Ectogenesis of human embryos and fetuses would require an artificial uterus. An artificial uterus would have to be supplied by nutrients and oxygen from some source to nurture a fetus, as well as dispose of waste material. There would like be a need for an interface between such a supplier, filling this function of the placenta. An artificial uterus, as a replacement organ, could be used to assist women with damaged or diseased uteri to avail the fetus to be conceived to term. It also has the potential to move the threshold of fetal viability to a much earlier stage of pregnancy. This would have implications for the ongoing controversy regarding human reproductive rights.

Ectogenesis could also be a means by which homosexuals could have genetic offspring without the use of a Surrogate pregnancy or Sperm Donor, and allow women to have children without going through the pregnancy cycle.

See also

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Endometrium
• IVF
• Placenta
• Uterus
• Amniotic fluid
• Apheresis
• ECMO
• Hemodialysis
• Liver dialysis
• TPN
• Tissue engineering