Scientists in China are creating the first such pregnancy robot in the world, which can give birth by keeping a human child in the womb. It seems like the story of a science-fiction film, but is it really possible? What does science say about this? Can this happen in the near future? If robots produce human children, what will be the effect on the society?
What is pregnancy robot?
A humanoid robot is being built under the leadership of Dr. Zhang Kufeng, the founder of Chinese company Keeva Technology, which will have artificial uterus. This robot will be able to perform the entire process from pregnancy to the birth of a child.
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This artificial uterus will have artificial amniotic fluid (nourishing liquid in the womb), and the fetus will get nutrients through a tube. Dr. Zhang claims that this technology is almost going to be completed. Its prototype can be prepared by 2026, which will cost around Rs 10 lakh (100,000 yuan).
Is this scientifically possible?
Artificial uterine technology is not new. In 2017, scientists from the American Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia created a biobag, in which premature lamb was kept alive for several weeks. This biobag had an artificial amniotic fluid and nutrient supply, which led to the development of the lamb and remained healthy.
However, this technique is not yet fully prepared for human embryos. The process of conception is complex, which includes the following stages …
- Fertilization: The union of eggs and sperm. It is not yet clear how this process will happen in the robot.
- Fetal implantation (implantation): Embryo being installed in the uterus. This is a complex biological process, which is still difficult to repeat artificially.
- Pregnancy: Nutrition to the fetus for 9 months. This may be possible in artificial uterus, but it is challenging to repeat the role of the mother’s hormones and immune system.
- Birth (delivery): A safe birth of a child. This may be technically possible, but it requires accurate control.
Scientists say that artificial uterus can help protect children (premature baby) prematurely, but it is still a distant thing to do the entire process of pregnancy from beginning to end. This technique may be possible for small animals (eg mice) over the next 5–10 years, but it may take decades for humans to make it safe and reliable.
What is possible in the near future?
Prototype in 2026: Dr. Zhang claims that the prototype will be ready by 2026. However, it will only be an early model, which will be tested first on animals. It has to be developed further to produce human children.
Solve infertility: The infertility rate in China has increased from 11.9% in 2007 to 18% in 2020. This robot can be helpful for couples that cannot naturally conceive.
Limited Uses: In the beginning, this technique will be for children born prematurely or to avoid the physical process of pregnancy. But there are many scientific and moral challenges in repeating complete pregnancy.
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What will happen when a child is born with a robot?
If this technique is successful, it will have many social, moral and legal effects …
Social change
- Role of women: Some people believe that this technology can free women from the physical burden of pregnancy. But feminist activists, such as Andrea Dworkin, warned that this technology can weaken the role of women.
- household composition: Children will be born without mother, so that the emotional relationship between parents and children can arise.
- Population solution: This technology can help solve the problem of population reduction, especially in countries where birth rates are low.
Moral question
Mother-child relationship: The child will not have a natural relationship with the mother, which can affect the mental and emotional development of the child.
Source of eggs and sperm: It is not clear where the eggs and sperm will come from. This may increase the risk of illegal trade (black market).
Psychological effects of children: Children who are born from robots, they may have psychological problems to know that they are not born from the mother’s womb.
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Legal challenges
- Rules-law: In China, it is illegal to develop human embryos in artificial uterus more than two weeks. New laws will have to be made for this technology.
- Debate on morality: Some people consider it unnatural and cruel, as it deprives the child of a natural relationship with the mother.
- Health and safety
Hormones and immune systems play an important role in fetal development in the mother’s womb. It is impossible to do these artificially. If there is a mistake in the technology, then the health of the child can be severely affected.
What does science say?
Scientific community is excited but cautious about this technology. Experts say that artificial uterus can be useful for premature children, but repeating full pregnancy is still very complicated. The biological processes in the mother’s womb, such as hormone secretions and the contribution of the immune system, cannot be fully copied artificially.
The 2017 biobag experiment showed that it is possible to keep premature lamb alive, but this technique for human fetus is currently in the initial stage. It can take at least 10-20 years to make it safe for humans.
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