One breakthrough study allowed for hope and credibility that artificial wombs are on their way to becoming a reality.
This breakthrough was in 2001 by Dr. Hung-Ching Lui at Cornell University. Dr. Lui was studying implantation of the embyro to the female uterine wall to increase the success of infertility treatments. To study implantation, Dr. Lui created an artificial womb made of engineered tissue containing donated endometrial cells. She then took a donated embyro and placed it on the uterine wall, and it began to implant itself. Dr. Lui was amazed that the embryo not only implanted but began to thrive and grow. Federal regulations prevent human development in a lab to only two weeks. Therefore, after discovering that embryos can implant and grow on this artificial tissue, Dr. Lui and her team moved on to animals. (see references below)
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2 comments:
I have never heard about this breakthrough...its an amazing concept. What animals have they used in studies?
Hi Dan,
Scientists and doctors have been mainly using mice and goats in their studies. Neither animal has produced a live young that has survived. Studies continue to be done to improve the artificial wombs.
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