The Moral Superiority of Bioengineered Wombs and Ectogenesis for Absolute Uterine Factor Infertility

Bibliographic Data

ID21598533
AuthorsEvie Kendal (0000-0002-8414-0427, Swinburne University of Technology), Julian Koplin (0000-0002-2752-7334), Julian J Koplin (The University of Melbourne)
Year2022
Volume31
Issue1
Pages73-82
Publication date2022-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0963-1801 • E-ISSN: 1469-2147
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0963180121000827
PMID35049456
OpenAlexW4205238711
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited21

This paper argues that uterine transplants are a potentially dangerous distraction from the development of alternative methods of providing reproductive options for women with absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI). We consider two alternatives in particular: the bioengineering of wombs using stem cells (which would carry fewer risks than uterine transplants) and ectogenesis (which would not require surgical intervention for either the prospective mother with AUFI or a womb donor). Whether biologically or mechanically engineered, these womb replacements could provide a way for women to have children, including genetically related offspring for those who would value this possibility. Most importantly, this alternative would avoid the challenge of sourcing wombs for transplant, a practice that we argue would likely be exploitative and unethical. Continued research into bioengineering and ectogenesis will therefore remain morally important despite the recent development of uterine transplantation, even if the procedure reaches routine clinical application

Infertility · Reproductive technology · Biomedical Ethics and Regulation · Organ and Tissue Transplantation Research · Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics · Reproductive Medicine

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access