Born of Woman: artificial wombs and the future of piety

Ectogenesis—the process whereby humans are artificially gestated outside of the womb—may be around the corner. In recent years, researchers have made inroads toward such a breakthrough. In this paper, I explore the implications of ectogenesis for contemporary debates in bioethics. I also identify a serious danger ectogenesis poses: it may allow us to overlook the integral work that makes possible the birthing and raising of human beings. Being gestated artificially, in isolation from other humans, may reinforce the widespread illusion of humans’ fundamental separation from one another, traced in numerous state-of-nature theories of politics and justice. This is not an insuperable danger, however. We already stand in great need of a greater appreciation for humans’ interdependence. The possibility of ectogenesis, which may be just over the horizon, gives us an even stronger mandate for underscoring the interdependent nature of human beings. Religious traditions are uniquely positioned to do precisely that.