Could technology make the abortion debate moot?

[Xithras]

I found an interesting article on IEET today via Slashdot that may have some interesting implications for the whole "pro-life" vs. "pro-choice" debate. A Cornell University researcher recently managed to successfully create artificial endometrial tissue. She didn't just stop there though...the researcher went on to create an artificial uterus, and then SUCCESSFULLY introduced a mouse embryo into the lining, where it implanted and developed normally.

http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/pelletier20121113

Yep, you read that right. Science has now created a functional artificial uterus.

The article raises a number of questions about the potential impacts this sort of technology could have on society, but the article itself directly raises one very fascinating question: Might it actually be possible to please BOTH sides in the abortion fight? All women must have the right to terminate their pregnancies, but the current process, which involves the destruction of the embryo or fetus, is used simply because it's the only current medical option.

If it were possible to remove fetuses on demand (preserving a womans right to choose) while simultaneously keeping the fetus alive through reimplantation in an artificial uterus (preserving the "life" of the fetus), would you support that kind of technology? Do you believe that technology to preserve BOTH the rights of the woman AND the "life" of the fetus should be used (or even required) if available? Or do you believe that the right to choose includes the right to terminate the fetus, even if it's not required?

And lest you write this off as sci-fi nonsense: The current prediction is that this technology will be ready to start pumping out fully developed mammals within the decade, and human babies by 2030, a mere 17 years from now. This is real technology that people are working on perfecting at this very minute.

7 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I believe that the right to choose includes the right to terminate the fetus, without limitation.
	6 (86%)
	I believe that artificial uteruses should be encouraged for women who seek abortions, but shouldn't be required.
	0 (0%)
	I believe that artificial uteruses should be required for women who terminate, to preserve both the Right to Choose and the "Right to Life"
	0 (0%)
	I think this is a terrible technology that shouldn't be encouraged for anybody.
	0 (0%)
	Artificial uteruses? WTF? Seriously? Who thinks of these things? Didn't they read Brave New World?
	0 (0%)
	Other
	0 (0%)
	It's something to think about, but I'm not ready to call it one way or the other yet.
	1 (14%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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