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Considering the Developing Entity in an Artificial Womb as a Patient.

Frédérique Drouin1, Alice Cavolo2, Vardit Ravitsky1,3

  • 1Department of Social and Preventive Medecine, University of Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.

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Summary

Artificial wombs (AWs) may improve care for premature infants. Developing entities in AWs should be considered patients, ethically guiding medical decisions and treatment.

Keywords:
The fetus as a patientartificial wombbeneficenceectogenesisectogestationmoral status

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Area of Science:

  • Bioethics
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Reproductive Technology

Background:

  • Artificial womb (AW) prototypes are advancing, raising questions about the moral status of fetuses gestated outside the human body.
  • Current debates classify AWs as either advanced incubators or novel entities requiring distinct ethical consideration.
  • This ambiguity impacts treatment decisions and the ethical framework for developing entities in AWs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a framework for the ethical treatment of developing entities within artificial wombs.
  • To address the moral status debate by considering AWs in the context of partial ectogenesis.
  • To establish ethical guidelines for medical interventions and decision-making concerning fetuses in AWs.

Main Methods:

  • Transposing Chervenak and McCullough's "The fetus as a patient" framework to partial ectogenesis.
  • Analyzing the ethical implications of informed consent from pregnant persons for AW transfer.
  • Applying the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence to developing entities in AWs.

Main Results:

  • Developing entities in AWs should be ethically considered patients, regardless of their legal or moral personhood.
  • Physician obligations of beneficence and non-maleficence extend to these developing entities.
  • AWs represent a medical intervention requiring a patient-centered ethical approach.

Conclusions:

  • AWs necessitate a re-evaluation of fetal patient status in the context of partial ectogenesis.
  • Ethical treatment of developing entities in AWs hinges on recognizing them as patients.
  • This patient-centered approach ensures appropriate medical care and decision-making for fetuses in artificial wombs.