B2 – Upper Intermediate
Science has made it possible for humanity to advance significantly, as evidenced by developments in reproductive and delivery technologies.
EctoLife is a conceptual, theoretical design for what could be the world’s first artificial womb facility. It was created by Berlin-based science communicator and molecular biotechnologist Hashem Al-Ghaili. The project exists only as a futuristic thought experiment and is not a functioning facility.
To find out more about this artificial womb facility, let us watch this video.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What is meant by “from the comfort of one’s zone“? “You can track your baby’s health from the comfort of your zone.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
- What is the meaning of “haptic“? “Using a wireless haptic suit connected to your baby’s growth pod, you will be able to sense their kicks in the womb.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
- What is a “bioreactor“? “The second bioreactor is designed to eliminate any waste products created by the babies.” Use it in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your initial thoughts about such growth pods?
- Do you believe that science has gone too far with this kind of tech? Explain your thoughts.
- In your opinion, what are the worst and best parts of an artificial womb facility?
- What ethical concerns do you think artificial wombs raise for society?
- How might artificial womb technology change the traditional concept of pregnancy and parenthood?
- Do you think governments should regulate or limit the use of artificial wombs? Why?
- How do you think society would change if artificial wombs became a normal part of childbirth?
One reply on “Artificial Womb Facility”
Vocabulary Questions:
1. You can open a bank account with the app just from the comfort of your zone
2. The phone vibration is an haptic signal.
3. Bioreactors are essentials to cultivate organisms under controlled conditions
Discussion Questions:
1. To be honest, I was really scared. This is too far from being ethic. There are too many controversial aspects like the option of selecting the colour of the eyes or removing genetic diseases. We can’t simply create humans without knowing the secondary effects of genetic edition? And if I’m sincere I don’t see a real benefit. It uses the argument of the poor birth rates in some countries, but the reality is that the world population keeps growing day a day. Wouldn’t be better to open the frontiers a let people move to better pastures?
2. I’m of the opinion that science and tech should focus on real problems, and not trying to create new market opportunities. Just because something can be economically profitable doesn’t mean it has to be done. Maybe there is a market in which people want to pay for getting their babies in such growth pods, but it is not ethical. There are a lot of things that happen during the pregnancy in the mother and in the baby, that we can hardly started to understand. Reducting this process into hormons and bioreactors is very limited.
3. Generally it is thought that pregnancy and birth labor are unpleasant experiences but in reality they are what reminds us that we are still animals. What we need to improve poor birth rates are policies and resources to grow kids when they are out of the wombs. Access to free kindergarten, more long maternity and paternity leaves and more eases to balance work and family time. Those would be a real revolution.