What Is EctoLife? Concept Video Of World’s First “Artificial Womb Facility” Goes Viral

Science can make everything possible! What was displayed in “Boss Baby” is now possible in real life. Hashem Al-Ghaili’s brainchild, “EctoLife” has come as a blessing for infertile parents, which allows for producing “customised babies” with the help of artificial wombs. Well, what was displayed in “Boss Baby” or “Matrix” may become a reality in the coming years. Read on to learn more about this concept.

What Is EctoLife?

Yemeni science communicator, Hashem Al-Ghaili’s brainchild, EctoLife is creating a buzz all over the internet. Ever wondered if babies could be produced in a factory-like environment? The viral clip, which gives us sci-fi feels, shows thousands of rows of babies inside a lab-created womb.

Hashem believes that the concept is genuine and could be a viable solution for helping infertile parents worldwide conceive babies. EctoLife is a concept that allows parents to “produce” customised babies with the help of “artificial wombs”. However, there is an Elite Package” that allows people to choose their baby’s level of intelligence, eye colour, physical strength, skin tone, height and hair.

How Will EctoLife Work?

The concept created a buzz all over the internet when Hashem Al-Ghaili released a concept video of EctoLife, an artificial womb facility Friday (Dec. 9). Even though it doesn’t exist now, Hashem believes that the concept would be very much possible in 10 years. According to the Yemini filmmaker, this innovation will be a breakthrough for couples with infertility issues, also eliminating the risk of miscarriages.

The viral video claimed that EctoLife is the world’s first-of-its-kind facility, where over 30,000 babies could be produced in a year’s time. Interestingly, the “artificial womb facility” makes use of renewable energy (solar and wind). The concept video reveals that Ectolife consists of 75 labs that can accommodate over 400 artificial wombs, aka growth pods. It makes use of AI to “monitor and cater to the growth of individual babies”.

Interestingly, the growth pods consist of miniaturised bioreactors and long-lasting batteries, which means you can use these artificial wombs in your home, allowing you to incubate your baby around your family instead of visiting the factory.

What’s The Procedure?

To kickstart the lab process, parents would be required to provide their eggs and sperm for in-vitro fertilisation. Not only this but these parents would be allowed to choose viable traits, look out for birth defects and produce “genetically superior embryos”.

The video suggests: “The prospective parents can also genetically engineer their embryo, before implantation, by employing a ‘CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing tool’ (currently used to correct a genetic mutation in embryonic stages for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).”

“EctoLife allows your baby to develop in an infection-free environment. The pods are made of materials that prevent germs from sticking to their surfaces. Every growth pod features sensors that can monitor your baby’s vital signs, including heartbeat, temperature, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen saturation,” Hashem revealed.

As for the delivery process, it’s as smooth and convenient as it can get. With this concept, C-sections and miscarriages would be a thing of the past, as delivery can be done by just pushing a button. After discharging the amniotic fluid from the “artificial womb”, you would be able to remove your baby from the growth pod. Fascinating, isn’t it?

What’s Stopping EctoLife From Becoming A Reality?

While the concept is very much real, Hashem says that ethical constraints are hindering the process from becoming a reality. However, he claims that technology is already available, and every feature is science-based.

To quote an example, in 2017, scientists made a breakthrough in artificial womb technology by making a “Bio Bag”. It was reported that scientists grew 8 foetal lambs for 3.5-4 months at a time. Did you research this subject? Share your thoughts in the comment section.