Would You Use An Artificial Womb? (I Would)

Artificial wombs are coming. That's a good thing.
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Artificial wombs are the stuff of science fiction, the scary kind. I think of The Matrix, when Neo wakes up in the real world, covered in goo. But in recent years, researchers have taken enormous leaps in helping embryos survive and grow outside a uterus. Artificial wombs are becoming more science, less fiction.
Any conversation about this topic gets heated, fast. Some people HATE the idea of an artificial womb. They feel that this technology could be used in terrible ways, like to control how people have kids or breed babies. Or that pregnancy is an important, special connection that we can never replicate with technology. Or that it’s a useless distraction, because there’s way more important stuff we should be investing in right now to make life easier for parents (parental leave, affordable childcare) and in the US at least, we don’t.
But others LOVE the idea. They feel that artificial wombs could help reduce the risks of pregnancy, and point out that more than 800 women die from childbirth around the world every day. Or that pregnancy holds women back, with data showing the wage gap is borne mostly by mothers. Or simply that bearing children is painful, an argument all on its own.
At the start of this episode, I feel genuinely conflicted. But halfway through, something happens that gives me a much-needed perspective shift.
In this video, we dive deep into artificial wombs, with help from leading researcher Dr. Jacob Hanna. We explore how close we really are on artificial wombs now, how they work, why they’re so controversial - and why I realized I’d totally use one.
Chapters:
00:00 Artificial wombs are coming
1:42 What is an artificial womb?
2:58 How close are we to artificial wombs?
4:06 Why are artificial wombs controversial?
6:42 Why we need artificial womb research now
9:42 My big perspective shift
12:19 What to expect from surgery
14:53 I get surgery
16:30 Why we need artificial wombs
18:48 The artificial womb moonshot
Be featured in an episode - upload questions for me to answer! www.dropbox.com/request/Edocs...
I tell different stories in different places:
You can find me on TikTok here for short, fun tech explainers: / cleoabram
You can find me on Instagram here for more personal stories: / cleoabram
You can find me on Twitter here for thoughts, threads and curated news: / cleoabram
Bio:
Cleo Abram is an Emmy-nominated video producer and journalist. Cleo produces detailed explainer stories about technology and economics. She wrote the Coding and Diamonds episodes of Vox’s Netflix show, Explained, was the host and a senior producer of Vox’s first ever daily show, Answered, as well as a host and producer of Vox’s KZbin Originals show, Glad You Asked. She now makes her own independent show, Huge If True. Each episode takes on one big technology innovation or idea, explains what it is, and helps people imagine the ways it could improve the world we live in by answering one simple question: If this works, what could go right?
Sources and additional reading:
- The twitter fight that inspired this episode: / 1483491180906045440
- Dr. Hanna and his team’s research, “Ex utero mouse embryogenesis from pre-gastrulation to late organogenesis,” Nature 2021 www.nature.com/articles/s4158...
- “Maternal Mortality,” Our World In Data ourworldindata.org/maternal-m...
- “The true cause of the gender wage gap,” Vox ​​www.vox.com/2018/2/19/1701838...
- Organ transplant data, US Dept of Health and Human Services optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/data/
- “Experimenting With Test-Tube Babies,” New York Times, 1979 timesmachine.nytimes.com/time...
Vox: www.vox.com/authors/cleo-abram
IMDb: www.imdb.com/name/nm10108242/
Gear I use:
Camera: Sony A7SIII
Lens: Sony 16-35 mm F2.8 GM
Audio: Sennheiser SK AVX and Zoom H4N Pro
Music: Musicbed
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Welcome to the joke down low (an idea 100% in reference to Answer In Progress’ awesome “joke below the fold” - I always scroll down to see them and always wanted to do this myself too):
How did Batman decorate his baby’s crib?
With a bat mobile.
Find a way to use the word “bat” in a comment to let me know you’re a real one ;)

[@MyRamblingRose86]

My whole adult life I was told by every doctor that I couldn't have a live birth, that my uterus was inhospitable. When I got pregnant I had no hope, but it was early covid so I stayed home waiting to bleed. At 12 weeks I went in and saw a living fetus. Like a fragile bird in a thorn bush. But I was still told to expect to start bleeding. My dad died and I grieved in quarantine, every doctor appointment I expected to hear bad news. The scar tissue inside of me ripping to accommodate kicks, painfully telling me I was wrong. She was born with lots of medical intervention. But my little NICU baby 🐥 will be turning 1 year old next month. Strong and alive, my daughter is my world. But pregnancy was a living nightmare.

[@beewest5704]

Wow you are wonder women. I have seen so many women go through what you did I have no words to tell you how much you inspire me. You are so strong. No one can imagine the physical & mental toll you had to bear unless they go through it. Bless you & your baby girl.

[@gabrielai2299]

Your experience made me remember what my mom had to go through in order to have my older brother, she had to stay in bed 90% of the pregnancy or she would bleed and put at risk herself and the baby. Now my brother is 24 y/o. I wish it would've been easier for her as well

[@mspaint93]

My heart.. I can hear your pain through words

[@DDBAA24]

This experience is raw, thanks for sharing it. I'd wager you wouldn't trade in the experience of a life growing inside you for an artificial womb, not for anything. My own mother tries to explain that bond to me. I'm just a guy who happens to be in touch with his feelings though,,,,, what do I know 😉 . I'll 🙏4 U.

[@MyRamblingRose86]

@@DDBAA24 My daughter was worth it. But I would have had a child much earlier if there were artificial wombs. I'm not more of a mother because I went through trauma.

[@TheLiamster]

I am absolutely fine with women choosing to have this. My mother had me through IVF so I credit modern science for literally allowing me to exist

[@mokiloke]

And men having this choice?

[@muskan1036]

​@@mokiloke well obviously...we need a sperm to have kid...if it's cheaper than surrogacy then it's more ethical (i mean imagine hiring a woman for 9 months just to take the kid away from her)...

[@b.k.5667]

​@@mokiloke men ain't the ones going through pregnancy are they

[@martincahill5622]

​@@mokiloke what choice sry? I don't get ya

[@adnanshaikh5675]

@@martincahill5622 well if the baby is made in a artificial womb then both the man and the woman should have the equal say in its development. I think that’s what he was trying to say.

[@ariprabowo85]

I'm a man, and I will never know the joys (or horror to some) of being pregnant and of delivering another human beings in this world. But I know the risk all too well. So props to Cleo for sharing her most vulnerable moment to educate us. On the artificial womb side, my mother is now in her mid 60s and have chronic diabetic neuropathy, and I believe that this comes from delivering me and my younger sister all those years ago. Before she had us, my mother was warned by her OBG/YN that pregnancy and childbirth will be very risky for her due to her narrow hip. She was supposed to have 3 children, but my "younger brother" didn't make it. Delivering me and my sister, 9 years apart, almost cost her own life on both occasions. She bled profusely for days each time and had to stay in the hospital for at least a month post-partum. It always sickens me when people talk about women dying from childbirth as if they're just numbers. It baffles me when women who talks about pregnancy as an "experience" as if they're the only ones who have been through this. That number could have been my mother, and those women probably didn't have to bleed for 3-4 days after C-section. They reject the alternative based on biased tenets, baseless fearmongering, and inflated egocentrism.

[@steviewonder417]

The biggest detractors of artificial wombs are women, especially feminists, who see them as taking away from women’s power over reproduction.

[@Lapusso650]

Lol joys

[@madelinedelvalle3666]

@TheLiamster Why would you think that ur moms diabetic neuropathy is related to your mom birthing you and your sister? If she is type 2 diabetic, then it has been her diet that has caused it. Also, plenty of people have reversed their diabetes through diet, myself included. So don't feel bad about that. Ultimately the answer has always been in your moms hands to do something about it.

[@jayakrishnan9504]

⁠​⁠@@madelinedelvalle3666 not entirely true, the reason why OP said the diabetes caused by childbirth is most likey bc his/her mother had a history of GDM, out of which has 50% of the women will develop type 2 DM.

[@rileysligting539]

I’ve never thought of a artificial womb being weird, and I’m a little scared for my wife to go through that pain. If it saves the mom from pain and helps the baby survive I don’t understand why we wouldn’t want this.

[@contentsofjoy]

Exactly

[@Danuxsy]

I'm a transhumanist and I don't think gender should exist at all! I think eradicating the difference between men and women and make us a single superior being is one of the greatest undertaking for our species! Another is of course birthing intelligent machines which shall outlast us for milions of years, bless the Universe.

[@miraculix6595]

because there are a lot of people who are mad stupid ... dont wanna call out names but yeah ...

[@motherhoodsbeauty9279]

Lots of things can go wrong with women's bodies after they give birth so artificial wombs are great for women. it's a win-win for husband and wife. Everybody is healthy.

[@hopefulfortomorrow1039]

There are so many men out there that clearly don't love their wives and only married them to have their 'legacy' that's why.

[@ReneRitchie]

Your ability to tell stories in creative, meaningful, human, ways is so beyond incredible, Cleo. Utterly amazing work!

[@CleoAbram]

thank you, Rene!!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

agree!

[@DeFlekkie]

It absolutely is. Im here at 12:30 in to say the same. Its touching and personal, yet still super professional and well structured. Impressive. Hope all keeps going well!

[@navindamansitha3684]

One person has already been shot dead by Sri Lankan police during a public protest in a town (Rambukkana) about 75 kilometers away from the capital, Colombo. some others was hospitalized. The Rajapakse government has reached the peak of its repression of the people. Please intervene to control this UN Human Rights Council Council of the European Union United Nations Michelle Bachelet Narendra Modi Boris Johnson Une personne a déjà été abattue par la police sri-lankaise lors d'une manifestation publique dans une ville (Rambukkana) située à environ 75 kilomètres de la capitale, Colombo. d'autres ont été hospitalisés. Le gouvernement Rajapakse a atteint le sommet de sa répression contre le peuple. Veuillez intervenir pour contrôler cela

[@TheWorldGameGeneral]

And she is good looking as well

[@pwhizzard]

As a man who has 2 amazing girls and watched my wife go through multiple life threatening events.. 1) I would have to take the option of an artificial womb seriously 2) If I had to be the one pregnant and giving birth, I'm fairly sure we would not have done it, but I am absolutely sure we would not have had our second, beautiful daughter. Thanks for the videos, and thank you for what you do to explain and share information.

[@dylananderson20023]

Women will basically go extinct if artificial womb become a thing😂

[@MisterK9739]

Why would women go extinct… did men go extinct when IVF was invented?

[@icomefromoogaboogaland]

​@@dylananderson20023bruh 💀

[@1DwtEaUn]

If men got pregnant we'd give birth like hyenas, which got screwed even harder by evolution or intelligent design than women

[@hi-ls6lt]

@@dylananderson20023I don’t think you know how basic biology works. That’s like saying if we could have artificial sperm, men would go instinct. No, it’s just an alternative. Whether it works, we don’t know. But a strange thing for you to say.

[@louspinelli1745]

As a male, I want to give you supreme credit for sharing this difficult process for you. Most people hide these aspects of their lives, you bring it to the forefront. You help so many, more than you will ever know. Please continue educating the world!

[@jenerin905]

I loved this topic. It's crucial to our society and to our daily lives. I feel it's a good option for a complex issue. I gave birth twice and I loved that I got to have the experience, but not everyone does.

[@duracell_87]

and still.... they are made do give birth... is not so difficult process for them. if it were so difficult there were not so many having 4-5-6 children

[@Black.Spades]

@@duracell_87 Meanwhile others die or develop diseases and disabilities from pregnancy and childbirth. Places lacking modern medical care, and the "security"of modernism in general have a much higher morbidity and mortality rate. 150 years ago it wasn't uncommon in the West for men to have a second, third or even fourth wife because the previous ones died. What's relatively easy for one woman could be deadly for another.

[@duracell_87]

@@Black.Spades yeah... and is called natural selection.... we intervened a lot in this process and now we have a lot of sick people because of this. yeah, nature is cruel, but that is nature and that's why you and me and others are healthy... because those unhealthy didn't make it. "Places lacking modern medical care" ... man... in thoise place they don't have money for a hospital... do you think those have money for this kind of expensive experiments ? they don't have money even for staying in a hotel room 2 nights....

[@Crunch_dGH]

Kind people, your inputs, please. Re: IVF Options: I'm male & "elderly," but apparently still (very) "viable," who recently became (through very hard work & much luck) able financially & emotionally (after much therapy) to father as many children beyond my only child (seemingly well adjusted, grown son) as someone would care to bear with/for me. So, what to do? Most likely, would be to find a spouse to provide ovum/embryo & a surrogate(s) to birth them. Some plan, huh?

[@checreates]

My husband and I are in the middle of our trying journey, and endometriosis is making it difficult to get pregnant. I cried after finding out how much they charge to assist in fertility, even WITH coverage. It just doesn’t seem fair. I didn’t expect to click on this video and get emotional, but I’m hugely touched by the men here sharing comments of empathy from their birthing experience with their wives. Having supportive partners and men advocating for women’s health is hugely important and loving. So, thank you.

[@TheWunder]

Wouldn't have it any other way. Me and my wife are one.

[@PhoebeJaneway]

US health care is SO f***d up! Move to Germany! You don't have to pay anything!

[@Danuxsy]

meh most here are soyboys

[@TheWunder]

@@Danuxsy Wellcome to our club

[@Danuxsy]

@@TheWunder 😂😂

[@Ragd0ll1337]

It cannot have been easy to share something so deeply personal as part of what began as a research project. Kudos Cleo. This is one of the bravest things I've seen on this platform.

[@e-ben616]

I almost felt bad watching her shed tears but that'd insult her brave choice to share such a vulnerable moment. Goes to show we're all humans afterall. Thanks for keeping it real Cleo. Much love from Nigeria 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬 . I hope you pull through.

[@AnnoyingNewsletters]

*Looking at scan of the cysts* _I was expecting something much smaller._ 😢 Right ⁉️ I was picturing peas on average, and pearl onions at worst. But no, they were the size of eggs 🥚 😞 Typing this I remember the clinic patient from House MD, who had a benign ovarian tumor the size of a watermelon, but that didn't even occur to me for cysts.

[@eddy7346]

I've heard many stories of mothers passing away during labor and it's terrifying. I couldn't bare to watch my significant other screaming in agony only to be met with complete silence and a flatlining machine. A personal hell, to be frank

[@PsoMyth]

Quite a few women die from complications afterwards, in the "fourth trimester". Based on the limited research, of maternal mortality it's a pretty significant percentage... when it's counted. From what I could find the majority of deaths happen after day one and the other half is split between first week post partum and about a month later.

[@relaxation-Corner]

​@@PsoMythyup I was almost one of them. Sepsis shock is one of the most common causes of maternal death caused by an infection sustained during the labour process. Hands and tools going inside or during the c section

[@angelahull9064]

Maternal deaths in hospitals can be greatly reduced but hospital administrations, insurance policies, and disagreements among physician organizations tend to resist changing the status quo. California was able to reduce maternal deaths by 60% by implementing proactive interventions against high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, and heavy bleeding.

[@arthur5629]

As a young man (20), I am incredibly grateful for this video. It has been eye-opening to witness your exploration of this topic from a more nuanced perspective, and the perspective of a woman that one day might want to have children. When I clicked on this video, I was shuddering at the thought of artificial wombs. Now I am almost certain that this is a future technology which should be available to women if they so choose. Thank you for being a pathfinder, a knowledge searcher, and an inspiration to so many people!

[@PhoebeJaneway]

You're a good soul! ❤ Cheers

[@catherineclaire7429]

I'm glad you're okay after surgery. Watching this video brought tears to my eyes. I have been pregnant 5 times, given birth 3 times and miscarried twice. My pregnancies were difficult, two of my births were painful beyond description, and may miscarriages were devastating. I still would sign up for it all again in an instant to have my children. If the technology existed and I needed it, I would use it.

[@Emme333]

👍

[@joaquimkeloglanian4801]

You are a warrior

[@rburch20]

As a dad who is literally sitting in the NICU with twins born at 26 weeks while watching this, I can say without a doubt I’d use them if available. My little ones will be 2 weeks old tomorrow and are doing good in the incubators, but it’s asking so much of bodies that aren’t supposed to be doing this stuff yet.

[@ryanmackenzie6109]

I hope your little ones are doing well! 💜

[@Johnrich395]

I hope your family is doing well. My family narrowly escaped this fate.

[@Dandan-tg6tj]

My daughter was born before her proper time and she was put in an incubator for a while. One day I was allowed to visit her and I've seen how she was fed through a syringe and a tube that was going directly into her stomach. They were feeding her a small quantity of milk and probably they knew what they were doing but to me it seemed like the milk was finishing too quickly and I told the nurse that I think they don't feed her enough. I, myself, am very good at eating food LOL and my daughter must take after her father. Fortunately for my daughter, they considered it and tried to give her a little bit more slowly increasing the milk quantity and keeping her under observation. In one week my daughter gained enough weight to be out of the incubator. She grew up quickly and she is now big and healthy as an ox. Sometimes some babies must be fed a little bit more than everybody else thinks. Some babies can eat more and need more. Increase the quantity then observe. If they are fed too much they will regurgitate and they can choke themselves so the continuous observation part is mandatory. This was working for my daughter so I'm sharing it with you, maybe it helps. Where I live doctors and nurses listen to what we have to say and they are open to suggestions. They listen then they think about it.

[@devanarayans5131]

artificial wombs will definetely screw up your baby's brain tho.. without that intimate connection,ie mother-baby bond the kid will defenitely be born a psycopath.. so for the baby sake... adopt rather than using dystopian technologies

[@catherineclaire7429]

Wow! So early. It's a miracle of science that they were able to kept alive. Congratulations dad! I hope you're family is thriving.

[@joao_de_berro]

The way you put all the perspectives together and compare them and break the topic down so well... It's just amazing. Congrats Cleo, you're doing an awesome job.

[@CleoAbram]

thank you! that means a lot.

[@pop7058]

@@CleoAbram hope you feel relieved after the operation.

[@Deefoh]

@@CleoAbram very informative video! And thanks for sharing your story!

[@HansBezemer]

On the contrary - I find it a very meddled and confused way to approach the subject: (1) Fundamental research - I've never found a good excuse NOT to do fundamental research (apart from human tests, which have to be made according to well-established, generally accepted special protocols); (2) Applications. The point here is CAN we make any applications that are commercially and technically viable? There are a lot of variables here. I mean, we can go to the moon, but we haven't found a way to make it commercially and technically viable - not even for the richest people; (3) What are the implications of this, socially, politically, economically etc. E.g. NOBODY had a full grasp of what the Internet would bring along - and politicians and society is still struggling with that one; (4) Ok, and this is the part where ethics come in - which of these implications are desirable? And note that one application will have both negative and positive implications - it's not ALL positive or ALL negative. Which one is more important - and why? (5) And finally, when we're all done - then the personal implications can come in. All these issues aren't peeled off properly in this post. That a personal implication becomes a common thread through the entire story - and even becomes the MAIN THEME at some point doesn't say to me that this has been properly and thoroughly researched, so that every possible view has been addressed. E.g. do we really need more children when there are already 8 billion people in the world - especially when considering climate change? Do we need to have to do longer term research on the possible health effects on people born this way before we roll this out? If we limit access to this technology, by which criteria do we select the cases that may use it? What are the psychological effects? Women are flooded with a whole bunch of hormones to ensure they will take care of their newborn. Etc. etc. etc.

[@nittyarizza]

Cleo, I cried watching you cry. Thank you for being so open and sharing this journey. You are an incredible journalist who puts the brightest possible spin on the scariest concepts. You rock.

[@nidia5796]

me too girl, I cried too.

[@sapnamohta5986]

Her name is Cleo though

[@dagingerdude]

I'm all for it. That quote at the end is exactly how i feel about it, "There is an obligation to relieve suffering when the means to do so are available, or in the abcence of the means, to search for the means." just 100% agree

[@Danuxsy]

that's why I advocate for no children because if we do not exist we cannot experience suffering.

[@ThisIsTechToday]

holy cow. thank you for sharing such a vulnerable thing with us. the golf ball legit made my heart sink thinking of that. oh my goodness. so glad things worked out!!!

[@navindamansitha3684]

One person has already been shot dead by Sri Lankan police during a public protest in a town (Rambukkana) about 75 kilometers away from the capital, Colombo. some others was hospitalized. The Rajapakse government has reached the peak of its repression of the people. Please intervene to control this UN Human Rights Council Council of the European Union United Nations Michelle Bachelet Narendra Modi Boris Johnson Une personne a déjà été abattue par la police sri-lankaise lors d'une manifestation publique dans une ville (Rambukkana) située à environ 75 kilomètres de la capitale, Colombo. d'autres ont été hospitalisés. Le gouvernement Rajapakse a atteint le sommet de sa répression contre le peuple. Veuillez intervenir pour contrôler cela

[@zechdoran7103]

I wish this was an option for my wife and I. She had the same surgery Cleo had, except for her it ended up being cancer and she can no longer have children. An artificial womb would be so incredible for us if the tech was there. Hopefully others like us will benefit in the future.

[@conlon4332]

In the meantime, could you look into surrogacy?

[@djosephwalsh]

@@conlon4332 My wife and I are doing exactly that. It is incredibly complicated and expensive and I feel really weird about asking someone else to go through that risk and pain for us.

[@davekroh5166]

I almost lost my wife due to a rare severe childbirth complication, acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Up until the last few weeks, she had a very healthy pregnancy. We were fortunate to be in one of the world’s best hospital networks, UHN in Toronto, Canada. My wife had a cross functional team of 24 physicians, plus nurses and other staff working to save her. I slept on the floor beside her hospital bed in the ICU every night until other family came during the day. I’m normally a typical stoic male. It took 2 years before I could tell this story without crying. Pregnancy should never be that scary. Thankfully, everyone mom and baby, almost 11 years later are doing well.

[@dragonblade2375]

As a young male exposed to the many sides of the internet, i love your optimism even when going through a tough time, yet you still deliver and share your love for science with us. I hope all is well and you just earned a subscriber

[@Sirbikingviking]

My only real concern is I believe that babies in the womb may need to have the feeling of movement and sound from the world outside. Hearing the voice of their parents before they're born might be a really important part of development. I'm just speculating but I think it's worth looking into

[@DieFarbeLila88]

That is interesting! But I`m sure you mast have gotten that idea somewhere? :) or is it just a feeling w/o cause?

[@JRTO_]

we should make the chamber very slightly flexible and encourage prospective parents to spend time with the foetus, play music, read books etc.

[@Sirbikingviking]

@@DieFarbeLila88 just a feeling, a theory, wouldn't want to mess up a bunch of kids by denying them that experience. Also my parents tell stories about interacting with us before we were born by feeling our kicks and such stuff

[@fly2724]

Maybe an Ai recording of outside noise?

[@ryanmackenzie6109]

​@@Sirbikingviking it's not as much a theory as you think. I took a class on early childhood development when I was in highschool. Newborn babies can recognize their parents'voice, from hearing it in the womb. That's why when you talk to a newborn, they'll turn to look at you. They recognize your voice

[@vishnukota1369]

As a guy watching this I gotta say these videos are really changing my perspective on the female reproductive anatomy. I didn't really think much about child birth before but now this has caused my horizons to broaden. Keep up the great content.

[@tphone6717]

Please don't be so Gullible if it was this bad women won't be having any children after one yet they do because it's worth. Let's not take away so much credit from our ancestors who brought us this far by doing what worked... Just for information do look into peaceful euphoric home births they don't support the intended narrative so they have to be searched for. May Allah bless you with a beautiful and healthy family ameen

[@anydaynow01]

Agreed, if men suffered a similar amount of body transformation, scaring, suffering, hormonal changes, time, and risk of death during conception, there would be a whole lot more compassion for what women have to go through with birth. If they want an artificial womb by all means let them have one so bringing a child into this world is just as comfortable and painless for them as it is for us.

[@pward8723]

TLC channel! If you are still interested in “broadening your horizons.” They have plenty of shows showing childbirth in MANY SENERIOS

[@justicebydeathnote]

@@tphone6717 i agree with you, accept the last sentence' fuck him

[@jazmineraymond7495]

@@tphone6717 Ok, have you shoved an entire human out of yourself.

[@h3ct0r13]

Being an 18 year old kid watching this video leaves me obsoletely speechless. Many things in this video are just mind-blowing such as your bravery for talking about this topic and your own personal health matters. Thank you for sharing and most important giving different perspectives of this very meaningful topic for us, for humanity. Thank you for makin such high quality free content but thank you and congratulations specially for this video.❤❤

[@abook8400]

bro is weird

[@th3darkgem566]

My biggest concern about this is not the growing and stuff, but the disconnection with the mother. Babies born this way will not feel the same connection with the mother as a normal child will

[@grigorigahan]

Thats largely speculative, we don't in fact know either way. Certainly, the mother being present at the moment the child is removed from the chamber will be critical but ascribing some special bonding to the pregnancy period *to the child* seems like a bunch of magic woo woo to me. About the only thing I can imagine is it accustoms the child to the sound of its mother's voice, and one must not imagine this womb chamber would be shoved in a warehouse with the parents coming back nine months later to pick up their kid. Certainly the parents would be visiting during different development stages. More likely is a disconnection of the mother to her infant.

[@th3darkgem566]

@@grigorigahan I do know for certain, because as a child born with C-section and forced away from my mother for the first 24 hours after my birth, I feel way less "loved" by her. I know she does, but the feeling that nobody wants me and suicidal thoughts didn't leave me until I was 15, and my mother definitely did love me. And the reason I'm saying my story is because multiple psychologists have come to the conclusion that this is the exact reason for my behaviour

[@grigorigahan]

@@th3darkgem566 Couple of key things here. You were separated after birth for 24 hours. We weren't even discussing anything beyond the moment of birth. And while I'm certainly no psychologist, and wouldn't call into question their conclusions, I doubt there is much hard peer-reviewed science to back this up (would be unethical to test anyway). It is instead anecdotal evidence personal to you, which I won't attempt to discredit. But again this says little, in fact nothing about any connection between a mother and infant during pregnancy. To settle that the best we have is surrogate pregnancies, and I doubt there is sufficient cases of that to paint a clear picture. People ascribe some woo woo connection between mother and child during pregnancy because it 'feels good'. We are grossly unaware of the level of awareness a fetus has of anything. There is a few examples of babies reacting to the sound of their mothers voice (turning) while in the womb. So it can react to sound.. so can a fish.

[@th3darkgem566]

@@grigorigahan Well, I'm no expert either, but I believe that is a bad idea, and we won't get good results out of it

[@TheAnticorporatist]

My wife had a cyst burst. And THEN had to have (painful) surgery and now CAN'T have kids; Having the surgery beforehand was DEFINITELY the better option. Glad to hear that you are recovering well.

[@the1stmetalhead]

I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope you and your wife are doing okay now

[@edens7203]

I'm glad you got through this, my wife is expecting in May. It's really scary but hopefully everything works out.

[@CleoAbram]

thank you! and congratulations to you both

[@aathreyashenoy]

Everything will be great!

[@vampirethespiderbatgod9740]

MAY YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY LIFE. Saying this as someone who lost their dad.

[@praxym9293]

It is well.Congratulations in advance

[@xploration1437]

Expecting what?

[@JesusChristDenton_7]

"History has shown that breakthroughs in science and technology have often been met with skepticism, fear, or hatred, only to later be recognized as transformative." -A wise Man

[@sitimasarkar]

I hear from my mum how much pain she had to go through during pregnancy and the after effects as well, i as a woman think artificial wombs are a great thing

[@ahmadshauqijohara6665]

I thought this video would be solely on the technology, however it shows the emotional attachment built upon this new innovation. As a man, I've never feel so connected to a far-related experience (i.e. giving birth) yet so humbling that makes me appreciate more all superwomen out there. My favourite video from your channel, so far. Good job, Cleo!

[@chrischan001]

I think so too. The emotional attachment is the highlight of the video!

[@lilykep]

I've had a friend lose her twin boys because they were born premature and a coworker who died in childbirth. An artificial womb would be literally life saving in those situations.

[@Steiner_Student]

Well in the promotional video for these cheap plastic space pods, you’ll see that the entire process is done outside of the human body. Unless the woman has a serious risk for those things occurring from natural childbirth, you can’t predict either problem. The only way to prevent those complications is to have ALL babies born from a rent a womb. The sad fact is, those things are going to happen.

[@sheepketchup9059]

​@@Steiner_Student "Well in the promotional video for these cheap plastic space pods," Doesn't matter if it's cheap, as long as it's high quality, and let me assure you, it will be. "you'll see that the entire process is done outside of the human body." That's so cool, isn't it. "Unless the woman has a serious risk for those things occurring from natural childbirth, you can't predict either problem." The fact that we cannot predict if these tragedies will occur IS the very reason why we should promote this technological marvel even more. "The only way to prevent those complications is to have ALL babies born from a rent a womb." We can only hope for such a future where such tragic risks are eliminated. But we have to respect consent too, we can't just force people. "The sad fact is, those things are going to happen." You mean, the wonderful fact? Honestly, I don't know why people are so opposed to eliminating women's extra misery. It seems almost like it's a threat to them.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

Yes, there ARE pros. Most critics understand that.

[@Steiner_Student]

@@sheepketchup9059 You’re very mistaken on multiple fronts. Your lame attempt to appeal to the shame you’re trying to illicit or expose over what you’re attempting to paint as some weird misogyny you think I’m exhibiting is transparent and boring. Try again. You lack the spiritual knowledge necessary to understand what exactly a womb is capable of doing and why a plastic garbage can can’t replicate that. And while that is not your fault, it is your responsibility as a human to learn. Until then, your opinions on this topic are inconsequential.

[@Steiner_Student]

@@marlonmoncrieffe0728 There are no pros to playing God. Sorry, you’re incorrect. The scientists of Atlantis attempted the same thing at the end of that epoch in history and that did not turn out well for them. This is simply a recapitulation and repeat of mistakes of the past. Look into it.

[@mossm717]

Props to you for including your personal experience in the video. Definitely puts a whole new perspective to the struggle many women go through, the full implications new technology could have

[@2snipe1]

Wow, what a privilege for you to share your health journey. That radically shifted my perspective on this topic and this is the first I'm even hearing about it!

[@justingriffiths6931]

Cleo, working as a hospital chaplain, and father of 3 (one came via IVF), I have seen all sides of pregnancy and childbirth and professionally, and personally supporting people going through these times both very joyful and extremely painful. I want to say thank you for sharing this broader scientific story, as well as thank you for being vulnerable with us on your journey these last couple months. I can only imagine the emotional parts that you did not share with us. These are important questions. TV and Movie depictions of pregnancy and childbirth, gloss over the emotional toll they can put on families. Sometimes to the point that marriages break over the stress. I wish you well as you continue to heal from surgery. I hope you have time to rest as you take in the vulnerability you have just shared. That alone can be very taxing.

[@captainjacksnap]

My wife who just gave birth to our son absolutely would. She says that being pregnant was worse than giving birth.

[@greybo4034]

Isn't that how humans did ..since like forever??

[@graceli6886]

@@greybo4034 human died easily without what we called basic medicine all the time until say 100 years ago. Average life expectancy was 30s or below for the majority of time in human history. What human ‘usually do’ does not mean it can not be bad and should continue. Think of that you may have already died by a simple cut, or any other infection, naturally. Think of pregnancy like enduring the cut or infection without medicine. Will you feel bad/worse or not?

[@jazmineraymond7495]

@@greybo4034 Ok, so? Doesn't mean it doesn't suck.

[@crazydragy4233]

​@@greybo4034 Most human babies used to die too

[@originzz]

@@greybo4034how many survived

[@jazzyhalf]

Been following you for a while now and I have to say this has been one of your most instructional and touching videos. Wishing you the best of luck and please continue putting out your great content !

[@nupurghuliani4703]

This is my favourite by far. Didn't know one could navigate a topic as controversial as this intertwined with a health issue as private as yours so cleanly and authentically. Thank you Cleo. More power to you. ❤

[@vrijegeest512]

When our daughter had to be brought into the world 10 weeks premature, I was really wishing for something like an artificial womb for her to be put in. An incubator and N.I.C.U are loud and busy places (alarms, ventilators, bottle warmers etc. etc.) and yes they are the best tools we have but really not the best we should want. We where lucky with "only" 10 weeks early and that the lung ripeners took. An amazing progress has been made over the years by the way, in the 80's here survival change would have been very low (now it was over 90% according to the doctors), might be an interesting subject to research further? For even earlier premature births an artificial womb would be amazing. After the fact we found out that we have a high risk for the same complications if we would like another child, so we decided the risk is too high and will not have another child and focus on our amazing daughter. So any progress in this field would be amazing for future parents.

[@greatminds1017]

That would be a very good use for it. Wow, that would be amazing.

[@mandymemories7350]

Literal tears... When Cleo showed us her reaction to news like that, it really hit home with me. I had a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) in my leg when I was 24 that was caused by taking birth control pills. The blood clot was from ankle to mid thigh. I couldn't bend my leg at the time. But I remember finally recovering and being told that if I were to ever become pregnant, I would be a high risk pregnancy. It's the scariest and sadest news I've ever been told in my life. Thank you for sharing such a personal experience.

[@oliwia497]

Were you in high risk group when it comes to birth control related DVT?

[@sabrinaw7387]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey, it was so brave of you to be vulnerable like that and educate others on these types of health issues. I had almost the exact same surgery almost a year ago now, except my cysts were fusing my abdominal muscles to one of my ovaries and I was in a lot of pain for over three months pre-op. I got so exhausted explaining my procedure to others-I wished it was just a knee surgery or something so I didn’t have to get that “oh…you’re a woman talking about your body..gross” kind of look. I didn’t know once I started sharing my story but so many other women/people with uteruses go through this exact thing. Thank you again and it’s quite late now but I hope you recovered well ❤

[@1234buzza]

I’m a new subscriber and I absolutely love your videos and love your honesty and vulnerability in creating this video. You are a wonderfully talented and intelligent woman and I have encouraged my daughter to subscribe. You have an ability to break down complex issues and present them in laymen’s terms. Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing your subscribers grow

[@NathanKopilec]

You wouldn't want to touch this technology for at least 20-50 years after it's been established. There's incredible complexity in all aspects of biochemistry and human physiology and this certainly applies to pregnancy. It's one thing to successfully grow another human being outside the womb. However, whether they will be comparable to children produced by natural birth is entirely different. I can imagine a huge problem being the vast array of epigenetic signaling that may be occurring between the mother and child and its complete absence in an artificial wound. I can imagine many scenarios where an artificial womb would deprive a child of epigenetic signaling that is important for proper brain development and immune system development.

[@nashton9964]

Yeah, once I considered this in the context of epigenetics, it made the argument about comfort seem short sighted. Also the legal battles and cost propositions around a 9 month stay in an incubator by a private enterprise may make it's own little dystopia for parents. When can you see your fetus? What if the birth fails, what happens next? Can anyone individual/entity start a fertilized egg in an artificial womb and be granted custody, or only married couples?

[@loukasfrantzolas6494]

Furthermore there are just too many unknowns concerning the lack of contact in the womb, will that cause the baby to have mental health issues growing up?

[@higreentj]

There is another side to it as the embryo is competing for available resources and the mothers immune system is a potential threat to the baby.

[@nashton9964]

@@higreentj doesn't that mean that it is a fitness for the fetuses immune system as well (there is transfer of immunity through the placenta)? I mean, the problem with increasing allergies comes to mind but perhaps I'm off track here.

[@higreentj]

@@nashton9964 With an artificial womb it would be more controlled. It is the first twelve weeks that are critical. The emotional state of the mother or if she is malnourished or consuming toxic substances can have detrimental effects on the developing fetus. Children brought up on farms do not get allergies so taking the new born baby into the countryside will protect against allergies.

[@keshudana4647]

As a guy, im going to be selfish and say that yeah, artificial wombs should be an option. I dont want to risk the loss of both/either my child or partner. And nobody talks about post pregnancy depression. I know a friend of mines wife tried to unalive herself and her child due to this. My mothers a tiny woman(4 ft5, less than 100lbs) risked her life to give birth to me. And as a medstudent, I've seen too much ugly things , and I dont want her to risk it.

[@Manvir.]

how are you being selfish? this is a respectable take.

[@bhagyashreeathawale5219]

The efforts and hardwork you had put in to create the video is really showing! It most certainly might not have been easy.. more power to you🙌 I can't believe I cried like a baby while watching an "educational" video!

[@ruthwikmuppala]

Wow! Just INCREDIBLE! I've recently started watching your videos, mainly because KZbin _could not_ stop recommending your Quantum Computers video to me (maybe because I'm a long time subscriber to MKBHD? idk...). Huge* *If True sounded like a great premise but being the skeptic/cynic I am, I was not sure what to expect. But this, THIS video is something else! As written by many people already, you have an incredible talent for storytelling and I wish your series reaches more skeptics like me and inspires hope to believe in a utopian future of tech!

[@edumaker-alexgibson]

I agree with 100% of your video and hope your recovery was complete. My wife suffered horribly with pregnancy sickness with my daughter. "Morning sickness" is a euphemism covering up a whole range of experience of hormonally induced sickness, from none at all to life threatening constant nausea which completely interrupts normal living. We barely scraped through. Despite the risks of a repeat my wife was keen enough to give our daughter a sibling to risk it, and sadly the second time was even worse, we ended up with a midterm miscarriage - another subject insufficiently discussed. Given the risks and the outcome, if artificial wombs were a safe and proven option, it would have been a far safer and more viable option for us the second time.

[@Lariteofilo]

Omg I can't imagine how much work you had to put into making this video happen!! Congrats, it looks amazing and the storytelling is perfect, love the debate and look forward to seeing where this will be headed in the future ☺

[@rs0n]

I think it's brave of you to share this. 🙂 I'm glad the surgery went well. Also, this was a great video!

[@myaharrinanan1283]

What a touching video. ❤ I am studying Developmental Biology in university right now and this helped to reignite my resolution for finding new ways to relieve suffering for people and animals. I totally agree with the need for researching solutions that provide women with more options, and I want to work on that during my lifetime. Thanks and I hope you are feeling much better now. ☺️

[@ahundt]

Thank you for telling your story, Cleo. That quote at the end of your story by Dr. John C. Fletcher, "There is an obligation to leave suffering when the means to do so are available, or in the absence of the means, to search for the means." is incredibly compelling!

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

I 100% agree. A huge reason I'm really hesitant to have kids is pregnancy and childbirth. My mom didn't have it easy with me and my siblings. If it was possible to have an artificial womb, it would probably reduce my reluctance significantly.

[@sanaaqahera]

Dude, same

[@YouYou-sm8tf]

Same. Pregnancy and childbirth put us women on sensitive moment where we are dependant on others a lot. If the father is there to provide, it’s good but if we are left alone, we may suffer depression. With artificial wombs we will be able to work and have no fear of being weaker.

[@nashton9964]

Nobody has an "easy" time giving birth... just saying that shouldn't be the expectation. If having kids is like saving up for a new car, what does that do to the significance of an individual or the sanctity of life? Would it be easier to execute "bad" people because we could easily start over with a new life? 🤔

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

@@nashton9964 I think you're jumping several steps ahead here. What I will say is that I heard stories of women having a relatively easy pregnancy and birth, and some even enjoy a lot of the experience, but I doubt that would be me, and would easily and happily choose an artificial womb if it were a viable option.

[@nashton9964]

@@SimplyMayaBeauty I am stepping ahead, you're right, and it's likely that much of this won't be affordable to most people since it's a 9 month hospital visit, but maybe it could come down in price significantly and not require hospital staff where middle income people could afford it in private institutions. To me, this makes sense for the woman who is tied to her work, but it makes me wonder if a woman that tied to her career should even have a child, or if it will always be in the background as a sort of status symbol being raised by a nanny. For the mother who is at risk for dying from childbirth complications this makes sense I suppose (and premature birth), and if this technology could be used for organ/tissue development (still need stem cells). At a certain point wouldn't a surrogate mother be just as comparable? I mean, there is the whole aspect of epigenetics in the womb and the transfer of nutrient and immune information through the placenta which shape how the fetuses Gene's are expressed. Then there is the legal problems around what happens if an artificial womb doesnt bring a baby to full development, or who owns the baby or has the right to terminate if the parents die in an accident or something. Also, if you did have a baby in an artificial womb, would you go see it before it was born? Would you play music for it outside the tank or are the caretakers expected to do that? I suppose they would probably integrate a monitoring system that has an app that could be downloaded to your phone, maybe record voice messages to your baby? I just think of so many possibilities outside of the supposed convenience of it all.

[@eughyuck]

your quality content is a breath of fresh air in the cesspool that is now youtube. I love the eloquent nature of your videos. Thank you!

[@bradneumann6874]

Beautiful video!! The world needs this. Thanks Cleo!! Glad your surgery went ok!!

[@KateKuehl]

Cleo, you're honestly the best science communicator in the game right now. You know your stuff but make these tech issues incredibly human. Keep on keeping on! ❤️🖥️

[@RedHair651]

She's good but there are better ones. Kyle Hill, Nativlang, Veritasium,...

[@sunilkumaryadav2183]

@@RedHair651 real engineering, real science,

[@AthAthanasius]

Sure, Cleo isn't the absolute best, but I'd place her in the company of those named in other replies without any hesitation whatsoever. Presentation style is top notch. Especially in this video what comes through is the breadth and depth of research that the videos are built on. And *That* *Enthusiasm* is **so** infectious (if anyone else particularly likes that then check out Alexis Dahl for a similar vibe).

[@bobf5360]

agreed. I think Cleo is an amazing communicator, and a brave woman to share her health journey so publicly. I do however respectfully disagree on the prioritization for maximizing childbirth possibilities. There are currently 7.9 billion of us. While all suffering is horrible, and every death a tragedy, the numbers in this video do not make a good argument for prioritizing limited research funding to this aim, when more prevalent and preventable diseases (malaria, AIDS, diabetes, etc) are within research funding to eradicate.

[@mazzimademe]

As someone who had to go through IVF to realise my dream of being a mother, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for modern medicine. I wouldn’t have my beautiful daughter if it were not for people thinking outside the box/researching slightly unorthodox elements of human biology. We don’t want to live in the matrix but giving people the chance to become parents in new and innovative ways has the potential to truely change peoples lives. Cleo you perfectly balanced the science with the emotion on this one.

[@myrddinterwilliger4762]

Well why don't you adopt. Maybe you abandoned the commitment you made to Goddess by doing so

[@yessigabi12]

You could have adopted

[@myrddinterwilliger4762]

Overall I think Mother Mary answered your prayer. But remember, disenfranchising motherhood from child and mother is one of the most evil sins. By supporting it you are enabling child neglect. Modern women are girls trying to drop off motherhood on anything they can

[@bunny_0288]

@@myrddinterwilliger4762 Whenever I hear this comment, it is obviously from someone who knows very little about adoption. Adoption is a beautiful and wonderful thing, however it can cost MORE than IVF in a lot of cases. Many times one cycle of IVF can give you enough embryos for multiple pregnancies. So you could pay the cost one time and get 3-4 children from it. Adoption costs the same if not more for each child. Plus, the birth mother has the right to change their mind even after the birth of the child. You don't get that money back. You can sink tens of thousands of dollars into an adoption only to end up without a baby after all. It can also take years to be chosen by a family. I've known people on waiting lists for 2-3 years. Where IVF is potentially much faster. Once you start a cycle, you could be pregnant in a few weeks. Also with adoption, you miss out on the experience of being pregnant, feeling your baby kick, giving birth, and even nursing your baby afterwards. There is nothing wrong with wanting to have those experiences. They are beautiful and wonderful and it is a natural desire to have. As someone who is married and madly in love with my husband, I would love to have a sweet baby that's a part of each of us. And honestly, at the end of the day those who adopt should be people who want to adopt. Who feel called to adopt. And it is not for everyone, and that's okay. There are huge waiting lists to adopt. If a couple chooses not to, it's really fine. There are plenty who do feel called to it. And there are a lot of families who use fertility treatments so they can experience pregnancy and birth, but then choose to adopt later on which is also wonderful.

[@bunny_0288]

@@yessigabi12 Whenever I hear this comment, it is obviously from someone who knows very little about adoption. Adoption is a beautiful and wonderful thing, however it can cost MORE than IVF in a lot of cases. Many times one cycle of IVF can give you enough embryos for multiple pregnancies. So you could pay the cost one time and get 3-4 children from it. Adoption costs the same if not more for each child. Plus, the birth mother has the right to change their mind even after the birth of the child. You don't get that money back. You can sink tens of thousands of dollars into an adoption only to end up without a baby after all. It can also take years to be chosen by a family. I've known people on waiting lists for 2-3 years. Where IVF is potentially much faster. Once you start a cycle, you could be pregnant in a few weeks. Also with adoption, you miss out on the experience of being pregnant, feeling your baby kick, giving birth, and even nursing your baby afterwards. There is nothing wrong with wanting to have those experiences. They are beautiful and wonderful and it is a natural desire to have. As someone who is married and madly in love with my husband, I would love to have a sweet baby that's a part of each of us. And honestly, at the end of the day those who adopt should be people who want to adopt. Who feel called to adopt. And it is not for everyone, and that's okay. There are huge waiting lists to adopt. If a couple chooses not to, it's really fine. There are plenty who do feel called to it. And there are a lot of families who use fertility treatments so they can experience pregnancy and birth, but then choose to adopt later on which is also wonderful.

[@HisBelovedQueen]

Thank you for breaking it down so simply and also sharing your part! Had me in tears

[@MoorganHart]

This was a beautiful episode, and I’m also looking forward to the development of this technology with hope.

[@TechVidGuy]

I completely agree that in an ideal world, it should be an option, especially to help more vulnerable children to survive. But I don’t personally have enough faith in humanity to believe we wont also use this technology as some sort of weapon or tool of oppression.

[@smathew8810]

If it's safe, you forget that women will want this because you don't have to go through pregnancy and child birth.

[@aghebreyesus]

It will absolutely be abused. Already, western nations and people complain about the "over population" of Asia and Africa. Yet, when you compare the carbon footprint and access to resources a family of 4 in America have to a family of 10 in lets say Sengal, it is the American family that are more of a detriment to the environment. The UN and the west would definitely use this as a way to control the population of other countries even when its the ruling countries that have created and perpetuate the issue we have with the environment to this day. Not to mention that, one of the main reason having children is unsafe is because our governments do not care about giving adequate healthcare that can prevent harm.

[@GloomGaiGar]

Have we weaponized cloning yet? What about in-vitro fertilization? It's good to be skeptical but please exercise reason and don't just use "faith".

[@bmona7550]

@@GloomGaiGar It’s not just cloning. It may be abused for the wrong things. Who’s to say no one ever tried? It just isn’t spread to the public

[@MondeSerenaWilliams]

@@GloomGaiGar I mean, we're already abusing surrogacy now. Rich people in developed countries paying poor women in less developed countries to get pregnant with their child, it's definitely a hotbed for abuse and exploitation. India even already banned commercial surrogacy since 2015.

[@mavza]

Artificial wombs should be an option, that's not to say it will be the option of choice for everyone. However those who want to opt for it should have the option available to them.

[@crakermac3818]

As long as it's not tax payer funded. Like most things are for womens convenience

[@nashton9964]

I think it should be something you are screened and qualified for, like adoption. I see eugenics-like philosophies sprouting up from mass adoption of this technology which spooks me.

[@user-xs4mu8xm7d]

Even if such a future comes to be where artificial womb technology is available, I'm afraid that it would likely be financially out of reach for most people, as it's effectively a 9 month stay in a hospital of sorts, which is likely going to cost a bomb. But hey, one step at a time.

[@fionamarcotte2810]

It will be available to rich ppl

[@ojyochan]

@@nashton9964 I came looking for this. it's creepy to think of people abusing this in a myriad of ways

[@dunamaiTheSheep]

Explaining something while keeping a positive mood in the current times is already an amazing thing... But showing vulnerability is another thing entirely. Exceptional work, thank you !

[@HerbertLandei]

This is honestly one of the best videos I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing you story!

[@nfaurerSLK]

With something so serious, your personal humor is amazing 😂 Such a strong woman! 💪🏼

[@sophien5416]

I think this could be a liberating technology for a lot of people. The only thing I'd be concerned about is if bad people misuse this technology to create human farms for like human trafficking purposes.

[@googlewasmyidea3296]

Yeah, but hopefully it wouldnt be that accessible, and the government could regulate it to make sure that doesnt happen. And im pretty sure you need to be pretty smart to make it, like how you cant make a nuclear bomb in your backyard by watching a DIY video.

[@DanielleKingdjdinosaur]

or for huge cloned armies or slaves.Yes there are many ways that this could be a nightmare .Cue the hysterical pod people routine.It could also give people that had no easy way or any way to have a child a chance to have a family.With all tech advances there are dangers and pros and cons .Done right this could be good thing .Remember the fuss over so called test tube babies?Time will tell if this becomes a thing.

[@goncalodias6402]

that would be the first use of this stuff. they made killer gas before they made fertilizer

[@kalinaszek]

You can do this cheaper with women slaves. If someone is trafficking humans, they can breed them

[@MegaGun2000]

​@@kalinaszek exactly

[@Platopoker]

I only recently discovered your channel and I love what you have done with it. It look forward to seeing more content.

[@mathi3933]

What a great video! What I would have loved to learn a bit more about is the health risks that go along with pregnancies. Apart from discomfort, the pain of giving birth and economical disadvantages it is actually quite "unhealthy" to be pregnant. Your unique view on data would be very interesting for this topic I think.

[@jenniferf1518]

Interesting topic! I appreciate your courage in sharing your personal situation and I am glad your surgery went well.

[@sarahlim75]

It was the year 1989. I was a Biology student and was just learning about IVF which was still rather new then. I happily declared that parents will in future go to the hospital after work to see, talk and bond with their babies through see- through artificial wombs. In this way, women could continue working without the burden of pregnancy. The classmates laughed and called me a mad scientist to be. In College, I switched to the Arts stream. 😂

[@deadinside8781]

Would be pretty nice to see my baby through the whole process. Plus, maybe it'll decrease the chance of miscarrying.

[@sarahlim75]

@@deadinside8781 That's right. If this had been readily available, perhaps I'd be a parent now. Should have stuck to studying the Sciences. 😀

[@jameslittle5214]

@@deadinside8781 While it might sound cruel, miscarriage is one of mother nature's way of keeping the species strong.

[@slimthickaz.]

Pregnancy is not a "burden".

[@michaelvanwynsberg3737]

When a science major becomes an arts major, both disciplines get smarter. ;)

[@Traxxis03]

Great video and great perspective! I cannot imagine the pain and I wish you the very best recovery.

[@asmita_nancy]

Great video!! Very insightful and informative. The concept of artificial womb is incredible, hope this becomes successful in near future.

[@meissheiten]

Thanks Cleo, for putting awareness on that important topic and merging it with amazing storytelling and your personal experience. Glad your surgery was successful.

[@StephanG007]

Most of these discussions seem to focus on the pre-birth consequences. However, it has been demonstrated that at some point babies become sensitive to outside stimuli, and apparently absorb some of it. I can't help but think that after attempting it, we might discover that the baby constantly hearing Mom's voice or heartbeat while in the womb might be a lot more important to helping the baby transition to the outside world than we think. I can't help but be reminded of all the children that had severe developmental issues because it wasn't understood that babies need a lot of physical touch to thrive. How many years will it take before developmental issues (if there are any) will become apparent, and who will be the ones to volunteer their children for this process before these problems have been discovered and fixed?

[@ishmamahmed9306]

1) Intermediate technology, as per the case of premature babies, would mean that some of the impact would already be tested 2) As artificial womb technology become viable, it is likely that the first users would be mothers facing great risk, who would rather try having their fetus moved to an artificial womb than have an abortion (so in that case, that is where the risks can ethically be allowed) 3) In anticipation of this known fact, external stimuli would be a routine in the maintenance of fetuses in artificial wombs

[@clareprv8878]

I think that artificial womb should be an a medical option and should be developed. Probably there are plenty of ways to solve your underlined issues.

[@milliedragon4418]

They could make it like a pouch like marsupial. That could give a more natural environment of course I see it the other way it could benefit "full term babies" too to have more womb like environments like when they sleep to give an example. Yes I do imagine there we'll be hiccups with such new tech. *Also has benefits for all ages

[@gunsarrus7836]

Simulated heart beats and voice are easy to do, we need this technology to end male slavery!

[@Orinatl]

…that would be easily replicated. With a mic the mother could wear 24/7. That is not a relevant issue.

[@mcputtini]

This video earned my sub... increadibly human way to put some perspective into what science can do to move us forward as a species. Relieving (or avoiding) suffering is on the right side of medical advancement and can definitely guide our morals when trying to decide what to research and what not to research. I'm grateful to have found this video, and your channel. Thanks!

[@michellejohnson2302]

Hello lovely! Thanks for all the content and being willing to be vulnerable with a personal medical issue with the world. We may never meet or know each other personally, but I am grateful for your willingness to brave the worst potential of the internet to bring us all a little bit closer with curiosity, science, openness, and kindness

[@sillydrizzy2985]

Cleo, I'm just going through your back log (Thanks Simone) and this hit hard. Even as a man in Canada, the overturn of RvW hit me hard, and this video brought some of those feelings back. I believe in options for all people who can give birth, so I'm glad you were able to preserve your options and that it was caught early. (Glad the Doctor didn't dismiss your pain) Thank you for sharing such a personal journey with us, and I think just makes the science here more relatable. a wonderful job breaking down some complicated stuff. I hope that this technological research continues moving forward, and we can find solutions to more suffering.

[@LordBubbly]

Cleo I love how you broke down and put every aspect, pov of each side of the conversation, and the importance of research. I like watching your videos and I am excited for more!

[@TheBeastCH]

Mad respect to you for showing/telling all this. My wife loved being pregnant. She often says she misses the feeling, as painful as giving birth at the end was. Also, to both of us, holding our children in our arms was and still is something I can't really describe with words. We love our children a lot, both of them, and we do want more. Due to a genetic disease our oldest has, and it turned out it was inherited, not mutated, if we do have more kids, we're going to see to it that we have them via In-Vitro. So there doesn't have to be another one of our kids with that skull problem our first one has. So I can see the appeal an artificial womb would have in that regard. From what you stated in the video, an artificial womb where you put eggcell and sperm in, push a button, wait a couple months, and take a finished baby out, is still a technology likely not on the table in our lifetime. But several processes, tanks, phases, whatever the embryo/fetus/baby would transition between during the 9 months, supervised and controlled by different teams that coordinate with one another. That's something that could potentially be on the table a few decades from now. Like all the things a modern smartphone can do have been possible in the 80s already. They were just split between dozens of other individual machines. Some as small as a toaster or a can of beer, others as large as a fridge or a chair. Now it's one thing that does all of their jobs, smaller than any of them. The risks or problems with the idea of an artificial womb are also there, and stuff like the Matrix movies and the Aldous Huxley book Brave New World would be on the table. "Can we just not do that?" I agree with you. It would be a lot better, if didn't do that, or prevented it from happening. The sad truth is, if we are talking our current economic system, both in America and over here in Europe, that might be the only way this could be reliably funded and financed. We struggle every day already with things like standardised, industrialised education that borders indoctrination for political or economic reasons. Kids spend 8 hours a day in places like daycare and school, with no way for the parents to supervise or control what they're exposed to there. And schools are compared to prisons for a reason. Pregnancy is an important phase for building the mother-child relationship too. When you speak, the baby can hear you in your womb, and even if it can't understand what you say, it will form a relationship with your voice. A baby from an artificial womb isn't going to get that. If anything, it hears the machines and the doctors at the lab where the womb is stored. So it is possible that it develops a fundamentally different psychology. Which could of course be corrected, if you're a loving and caring parent, which I hope you are. But it does mean that you'd have to build the relationship with your child from the ground up, like adopting parents do, rather than already having the months long relationship foundation from the pregnancy. Even when it is your biological child. But surrogate mothers exist too, and the babies that come from there are also fine. So that might not be as big of a deal as I'm appearently making it.

[@5tarstriker78]

Blooming heck Cleo, shooting straight for the feels with this video. Never wanted to reach out and hug my phone so much in my life. Bless ya 🤗

[@rachelle2227]

I have a two month old baby. I’ve definitely thought that there should be artificial wombs, for many reason, though I view it as something in multiple decades. Even an easy pregnancy is exhausting, difficult, and expensive.

[@just4now141]

If all these important life matters were easy like a vending machine it would alter your happiness and purpose. People don't do well when all they have to do is want something and it's there with no work or sacrifice all things become less treasured and ultimately meaningless. It has to be this way because of all the evil that exists around us.. we don't live in a perfect world and plenty of really bad people out there so being able to just push a button and get whatever you desire ... so to speak.... would and will make it so much worse.

[@rachelle2227]

@@just4now141 It would never be easy like a vending machine. I could foresee doctors and special technology people having to check on the fetus as it grows. The machine to hold the growing baby will have to be maintained, as well as the balance of nutrients. Pregnancy is difficult. Some women can’t get pregnant, and it could work for gay couples as well. It’s also the case that we have loads of technology to make our lives easier that is normal, like plumbing, dishwashers, laundry machines. You could say gestating a baby is more important, but it can be so debilitating, and like I said, expensive. The important part of bringing a baby into the world is raising the baby well. I think a machine carrying a baby would lead to less trauma in the case of miscarriage, better control for issues of the fetus, optimal nutrition, etc. it would just be better. You could still make your argument at the end of the day, but this technology would be developed regardless of if this view is true or not. IVF is and was also very controversial, it has helped so many people get pregnant that couldn’t get pregnant otherwise, or raise the chances of it. This also wouldn’t be an easy option. I could foresee a lot of beuracracy behind this kind of technology, and it still being harder than just getting pregnant.

[@GiRR007]

@@rachelle2227 I'd imagine the restrictions on who would be allowed to use the technology would be naturally quite strict, even more strict than adoption even. And it would probably be a bit expensive also but would have TONS of perks. Wouldnt be like a human right though as humans can already naturally reproduce and invitro would still be a thing.

[@rachelle2227]

@@GiRR007 Yeah, for a long time I think it would be very expensive. But being pregnant can be very expensive too. Ultrasounds, if you develop gestational diabetes or another pregnancy associated complication, seeing your ob regularly, time off work if you have to be on bed rest, etc. of course this machine would be expensive, but I imagine it would be like a long term rental kind of thing (well I guess it would be in a hospital setting, though in my fantasy world I imagine it being in my house). Doctors and what not would have to see the fetus, but I imagine that any issue would be easier to treat and diagnose. Giving birth is extremely expensive too. Out of pocket was $5K for my uncomplicated delivery, and really more like $10K, since we had to get the expensive version of our health insurance we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Giving ‘birth’ if a fetus is in one of these machines should be extremely straight forward, and I imagine that aspect would be less expensive. There shouldn’t have to be any premie babies, and NICU stays are very expensive. In a way the fetus would always be in the hospital, but the machine would tend to pretty much all its needs, other than like refilling it with nutrients and checking on it. Eventually, the price could go down just because it would likely be a lot safer for mom and baby than traditional pregnancy, and more people would eventually use it. Scale would bring the price down.

[@GiRR007]

@@rachelle2227 I do wonder if there would be a point of having an in home birthing pod. It would seem like a waste of resources considering the pods would probably be reusable and rather large space wise so just using it to get a few kids and then never using it again would seem inefficient. Unless maybe perhaps these pods could be handed down to future generations so that they can also use them, or even have elderly people be able to raise a child well past their capability to actually give birth. Along with life extension technologys. So in my imagination I think that you would have places like say hospitals that just have large numbers of these pods in a room somewhere that are in constant use.

[@jarednthomas]

You could've put "test tube babies" in the title for clickbait and you didn't, and I appreciate that. Fantastic as always 😊

[@TurboJon]

Awesome video, Cleo. Thanks too for sharing the event in your own life. Glad it all worked out safely and successfully. It wasn't that long ago in human history when neither was possible.

[@RahulGupta-qg1gu]

this is such a well put out video, god bless you Cleo, you really opened my eyes.

[@bandtasticsound]

I had cysts on my ovaries (both sides) one was the size of a golf ball too and they also told me they might have to take my ovaries. My Health Care Professional also advised me that there was a possibility it was my birth control that was causing it as they'd found a link between birth control and ovarian cysts, evidently. And today I totally have a baby.

[@nataliesoutlet]

Hi Cleo 👋🏽 new to your channel and loving all the topics you’re researching and covering. Excited to follow along your journey :)

[@businessmanager7670]

nobody cares about your dead channel with 8M purchased subs 😂

[@benjaminbutcher]

Thx Cleo. You’re making really great content. Don’t stop

[@bryanmcleod4924]

I'm so sorry to hear that you had this experience my dear but also unbelievably happy to hear that you "weathered the storm" as it were and thank you so for the video's you've done over the years which I've learned to trust as a WTF is up with that intro to prep me for further research when something tweeks my interst... be well my dear and keep up the good work...

[@brunnorpdias]

That must have been really scary, Cleo. I'm really glad everything worked out for you. This was an amazing video, and really made me rethink a lot on a whole range of topics, like human connection, fear, and equality. Keep it up the good work.

[@dnice4441]

Another informative and wonderfully constructed video. The clips, research, B-roll, audio, thought provoking questions, and your delivery.. Magnificently put together. Keep it coming!!

[@Romdryl]

Wow, Cleo, thanks for sharing such a difficult and highly personal subject with us. As always, you do incredible work and whether it's AI or synthetic wombs, you never fail to move me.

[@godbeforeme]

Thank you for making this video and shining a light on a very important and deeply personal topic. Seriously, thank you.

[@jerpica.d6735]

As someone who had their uterus taken out because of illness I'd love the ability to use an artificial womb because its hard to get another woman to produce your baby and grow it for 9 months then just give it to you after pregnancy. Those unable to have kids could really benefit from this.

[@fionamarcotte2810]

A kid is not a necessity. If you can't have a baby then it means you were never meant to have one.

[@jerpica.d6735]

@@fionamarcotte2810 thanks for your unwanted opinion

[@peterbelanger4094]

@@fionamarcotte2810 I agree completely. So many see it as some sort of entitlement. Besides, isn't 8 billion enough?

[@shelleyphilcox4743]

@@fionamarcotte2810 The strongest urge in humanity is to find a mate and reproduce, to have a family. Some people choose not to, but they are the minority. There is nothing wrong or right about this as a choice. If you think there should not be procedures to mend or circumvent when the body fails or is broken in its purpose, then you must also disagree with all of medicine. Do you disagree with organ transplants, cancer treatment, dialysis, pacemakers, artificial limbs, incubators? Or should people just accept that there is a part of their body that is failing and be ill, have a disability or die? Why would you object and consider it simply to be fate when a part of your reproductive system is not working properly and be denied remedy for that, just like with any other part of the body that is not working properly?

[@sarahhavillamelooliveira5825]

@@fionamarcotte2810 There are tons of things that aren't necessary. You don't necessarily need to have internet, nor good tasting food (just nutricius), eletricitity, running water, you don't necessarily need a degree, nor you need a fancy and beautiful house. We have those things because we like them and sometimes we make choises. I like fancy food, so I'll just find a cheap apartment or I prefer a big home in some beautiful area so I am okay in beeing frugal in other things.

[@missknight9]

As more and more women struggle with infertility, one day this technology may be necessary to maintain our species

[@Emme333]

Yes. WHO announced 1person in 6 world wide is infertile.

[@user-qh8fi7th9e]

Agenda you will possible wont have natural conceived birth in 200 years from now and everyone will be ok ofc they wont love children as much as it will be easy to get them just order them like they are products .

[@Eternalspring22]

Don’t stop making videos and sharing your opinions. We need this. Awesome!

[@edwinalfaro6610]

That was very brave of you to share and document your own personal crisis as it relates to a story that you were researching. Your videos always make me feel optimistic about the future and now, the fact that you may become a parent someday, makes me even more optimistic. We need more Cleo Abamses in the world.

[@rachelbroughton6457]

So excited to learn that this is a thing! I had such a difficult time in my pregnancies, and I know that some people have really extremely difficult times with pregnancy and birth. Even without other risk factors pregnancy and birth are really risky for the mother. Plus there are so many who are unable to carry a pregnancy for many different reasons. If it were a viable option it would be amazing

[@TesserId]

Passing kidney stones is said to be the closest men ever come to experiencing the pain women go through in childbirth. Having passed one myself, I get the message, and I am so grateful that I had someone there for me when I couldn't understand why I was in such pain. She got me to the E/R, while I writhed in agony and sat my me the whole way. Sadly, she'd lost her ovaries to cysts. Adoption was the only option at that time. Is this some kind of weird irony or what?

[@alicewilliams9301]

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. As a mother of three, going on four, all born without medication of any kind, and having experienced several traumatic injuries that don't even come close to kidney stones, it's my strong opinion that we overrate the pain of childbirth. It can be painful, yes, but except in very rare cases the pain is intermittent and manageable with proper support. Also, everyone in the media makes it sound like the pushing and actual delivery is the absolute worst pain possible, but most women find pushing to be more like really hard work. Our bodies were designed to expand and stretch to allow a baby out. The ureters and urethra were not meant to pass anything but urine, and anyone who's had a UTI will attest that even urine can hurt terribly when conditions are wrong. I'm sorry your support person lost her ovaries. I was infertile for six years before conceiving my second child, and understand how precious every child is.

[@TesserId]

@@alicewilliams9301 Thank you so much for the sympathy. One thing about it is that I did not know what the pain was and could not predict that I would have come through it so easily once the pain was dealt with. As for my ex girlfriend, I still kind of lover her though I lost her to someone else. But, I do remember that her monthly cramps where pretty awful with that condition. Again, thanks for the comment.

[@fionamarcotte2810]

@@alicewilliams9301 No you were lucky. Most women have very painful, body altering pregnancies.

[@shelleyphilcox4743]

@TesserId Have had two children, one with almost no pain relief and one having been given diamorphine, and kidney stones twice and, lithotripsy treatment. I've also had egg retrieval with no painkillers (very painful indeed, but doesnt last long) and a myleogram where dye is injected into your spine and you have horrific headache. Diamorphine was awful. Felt ill and not in control...in retrospect I'd rather deal with the bad pain of childbirth and not feel the horrible out of control and struggling to focus that I had with the diamorphine, especially as things were going wrong with the labour. Kidney stones is definitely up there with pain intensity to the point of vomiting...but my first childbirth was like that anyway. Psychologically, child birth pain is different. You can focus on the waves and you know there will be an endpoint in the near future. Kidney stones mess with that because you dont know when it might strike and how long or if it will pass, with the concerns around infection. From a pure pain perspective though, having had stones too large to pass on their own, I would say that it isnt worse than childbirth with no meds, but it certainly has a similar intensity!

[@TesserId]

@@shelleyphilcox4743 Oh my, so much to deal with. You have my sympathy. And yes on the vomiting. They brought out a bucket for me as I checked into the E/R.

[@vinayakmishra8408]

Hey cleo, you are an inspiration to me, from a while now I have been looking forward to see your videos, for how simple, and gorgeous they are covering some of my most most endearing topics, Love you loads and I aspire to meet you someday, you are amazing and always pitching in for you

[@shadylydz]

Thank you Cleo, for all the work and research you do on all your videos.

[@Toe-Mass]

I can't even begin to describe how happy I am that I discovered this channel. Thanks for the pointers Johnny!

[@anishjha7059]

This is a game changer! I always thought since my childhood, there had to be a painless way of having babies. I really like the way you put it - we went to the Moon, we should get a moon shot to this idea. Also, you must be getting this alot, but do you know that Kiera Knightley looks a lot like you, almost twins!!

[@angelahull9064]

Feeling degrees of pain is subjective, though. Some people have a high tolerance and some people are extremely sensitive to it. Plus, how much painlessness are you willing to achieve when different kinds of pain signal the mother's body to progress into active labor?

[@brianwatts5482]

I recently found your great channel. So glad it all worked out well for you. 😊

[@gavinathling]

I've been skipping over this video. It's recommended to me over and over, and I absolutely love the theme of Cleo's channel, and the way they present the content, but this seemed so implausible, that I skipped over the thumbnail over and over again. And now I've watched it, and been moved, and am writing a long comment. Thank you, Cleo, for your hard work, but also for being so open with strangers who would otherwise continue in their male way (as I do), seeing people "have children" as similar to "buying a house" or any other life event. It's a bigger thing, a more dangerous thing, and a thing we, as a society, spend too little time working on.