with sci-fi undertones, hashem al-ghaili envisions the world’s first artificial womb facility

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inside Ectolife: the future of chilDbirth?

In his latest conceptual video, biotechnologist and film producer Hashem Al-Ghaili takes us on an unsettling yet fascinating tour inside EctoLife — the world’s first artificial womb facility. Described as ‘a new way to bring life into the world,‘ the AI-powered fictional complex offers parents-to-be a presumably safer alternative to natural childbirth, eliminating the often fatal complications associated with it.

‘According to the World Health Organization, around 300,000 women die from pregnancy complications. EctoLife artificial womb is designed to alleviate human suffering and reduce the chances of C-sections,‘ writes Al-Ghaili. Instead of a mother pushing painfully with her body, couples are asked to push a button to ‘birth’ their incubated child. It also offers a solution for women who have had their uterus removed following health issues, like cancer.

all images © Hashem Al-Ghaili

Moreover, the project can be deployed in countries with severe declines in population growth, a phenomenon considered by many as a threat to civilization. With incredibly low birth rates, nations like South Korea, Bulgaria, and Japan are considered ideal grounds to launch EctoLife. While the video does paint an ambitious and utopian picture, viewers cannot help but catch the dystopian and slightly chilling undertones creeping into every frame, leaving them to ponder the implications of such an idea.

EctoLife facility with rows of lab-grown babies

replicating the exact conditions inside a uterus

EctoLife by Hashem Al-Ghaili (see more here) unfolds as a huge factory-like space with 75 state-of-the-art labs, each hosting up to 400 growth pods or artificial wombs that replicate the exact conditions found in a woman’s uterus. Overall, a single building can incubate 30,000 lab-grown babies a year in an infection-free environment. Every growth pod is equipped with sensors that monitor vital signs like heartbeat, oxygenation saturation, temperature, breathing, and blood pressure. An AI system also monitors physical features and reports any potential genetic abnormalities.

Babies steadily and sustainably receive fresh nutrients through two central bioreactors linked to every ‘womb’ to ensure and support healthy growth. The first bioreactor pumps vital hormones, antibodies, growth factors, oxygen, and an amniotic-like liquid solution through an artificial umbilical cord. Additionally, thanks to an AI-controlled system, each baby ‘receives custom nutrients tailored to their needs.’ Meanwhile, the second bioreactor receives the babies’ waste products released via the artificial umbilical cord. The waste is then recycled into ‘useful products‘.

ai meets vr meets renewable energy

Technology is at the center of EctoLife’s operations. Every vital sign is displayed on a screen attached to the growth pod, displaying real-time data sent directly to the parent’s phone to track their baby’s health remotely. Through the app, parents can enjoy a high-resolution live view of every stage of development; this includes a growth timelapse that can be shared with friends and family. Each artificial womb is also fitted with internal speakers that play music or transmit the parents’ voices.

On the other hand, a 360-degree camera inside the growth pod connects to a parent’s VR headset, allowing them to see and hear everything the baby perceives. ‘Using a wireless haptic suit connected to your baby’s growth pod, you will be able to sense their kicks in the womb and share this experience with your friends and family members.’ Last but not least, every operating system is run with renewable energy, namely solar and wind power. This ensures zero electricity cuts and complications throughout the baby’s entire growth development.

each artificial womb replicates the conditions inside a natural uterus

invitro and FREEDOM OF CUSTOMIZATION

As natural childbirth is off the table, each baby is conceived through invitro fertilization, allowing parents to freely ‘create and select the most viable and genetically superior embryo, ‘giving [their] baby the chance to develop without any biological hurdles.’ This freedom of customization comes as an Elite Package that gives parents the liberty to alter over 300 genes of an embryo before implanting it into the artificial womb. From selecting hair and eye color to height, intelligence level, and skin tone, this feature is carried out thanks to CRIPSPR-Cas 9 gene editing tool. ‘You can also use it to fix any inherited genetic diseases,’ adds the fictional EctoLife narrator.

Those who prefer a more homely option can choose to install their own growth pods at home, supported by miniaturized bioreactors with long-lasting batteries.