ECTOLIFE: THE ARTIFICIAL WOMB

EctoLife is a concept which was created by Hashem Al-Ghaili, which would offer parents to “produce” custom babies via help of artificial wombs. EctoLife would allow parents top chose their baby’s level of intelligence, height, eye color, skin, intelligence, and hair color. EctoLife would offer parents a way to produce customized babies at a facility when this concept becomes a reality.

HASHEM AL-GHALI: BRAINCHILD OF ECTOLIFE:

The brain child of this concept of an artificial womb is Hashem Al-Ghaili. Al-Ghaili is a producer, filmmaker, and a science based creator who was born in Yemen but resides in Berlin, Germany. Hashem Al-Ghaili is also a molecular biologist by trade. He graduated with his masters in Molecular Engineering from Jacobs University Bremen. He also graduated from University of Peshawar Pakistan. Hashem Al-Ghaili is also known for his infographics and videos about scientific breakthroughs. His videos' and conceptual images of scientific breakthroughs are found on Facebook and Imgur, which have a huge following.

THE ARTIFICIAL WOMB:

“EctoLife is based on 50 years of groundbreaking scientific research globally,” Al=Ghaili says, “EctoLife would be able to create 30,000 babies a year in its lab in transparent grown labs.”

WHY THE NEED OF FOR AN ARTIFICIAL WOMB:

An artificial womb provides an option for parents to have children without going through pregnancy or even conception. Hashem Al-Ghaili claims EctoLife can help countries facing a decline in population to help with their decline.

The Gestation of a baby is done in an ideal condition in a temperature, controlled, infection free womb in a life pod/artificial womb with a clear view of the baby being developed. There is an artificial umbilical chord which can provide nutrients and oxygen to the developing baby as the baby floats in artificial amniotic fluid. The Amniotic fluid is refreshed to allow precisely tailor made hormones, antibodies, and growth factors. The baby’s waste products are removed, run through a bioreactor and enzymatically converted back into a steady stream of sustainable fresh nutrients for the baby.

“Every single feature mentioned in the concept is 100 percent science based and has been achieved by scientists and engineers.” - Al=Ghaili

The Only thing left is building a prototype by combining all features into a single device. In terms of timeframe, it really depends on the ethical guidelines. Right now, research on human embryos is not allowed beyond 14 days. After 14 days, embryos must be destroyed due to ethical concerns. If these restrictions are relaxed, I give it 10 to 15 years before EctoLife becomes widely used everywhere. Add to that five years of public awareness and education to help people become more receptive to the technology,,” says Al-Ghaili.

THE ECTOLIFE FACILITY:

The EctoLife facility in theory would run on renewable energies and house 75 Labs Each EctoLife facility would be equipped with up to 400 Growth Pods or Artificial Wombs and would be able to produce 30,000 babies per year. The Pods would be designed to provide the same environment as a natural mother’s womb. The data from the Pods would be monitored by apps on a phone using an artificial intelligence based system. It would monitor the physical features of a baby and report genetic abnormalities. During the delivery of a baby, the baby can be removed from the Growth Pod with a push of a button and after all the amniotic fluid is discharged.

ECTOLIFE ELITE PACKAGE: The EctoLife Elite Package parents can purchase would allow them to “genetically engineer” the embryo they would implant into the GrowthPod/ArtificialWomb. Parents would be able to select their baby’s height, hair type, level of intelligence, eye color, skin tone, and physical strength.

“Thanks to CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing tool, you can edit any trait of your baby through a wide range of over 100 genes.” - Al-Ghaili

WHAT SCIENTIST THINK ABOUT ECTOLIFE:

Professor Joyce Harper, head of Reproductive Science and Society Group, at UCL Institute for Women’s health, believes we might get to the point of an artificial womb in the near future.

“I have no doubt that at some point, most people will be produced by invitro fertilization and than [EctoLife] would be a possibility. In science, I think you should never say never.”

Andrew Sherman, professor of Obstetrics at Kings College London, also says EctoLife isn’t as far fetched as one may think.

“From a theoretical standpoint it’s possible, it’s a matter of providing a correct environment with fuel and oxygen and I think the technologies are there to be able to achieve that.”

“There are lots of examples where babies come out extremely early and are very well looked after in incubators, which is a very naive form of what you’re talking about, and they’re being fed by tubed down their stomachs.”.

REASONS TO WORRY:

If this concept came into fruition, it could create a new race of humans and/or intermingled with AI technologies. Governments could make contracts with EctoLife to create SuperSoldiers to fight in wars or create a race of slaves subservient to the System. It could also create Caste systems and different degrees of humans as described in the novel Brave New World. Do we truly want to play God here?