The sci-fi and dystopian worlds of The Matrix , Blade Runner , and many, many others feel like they’re still decades away from becoming reality. But in a lot of ways, we’re getting startlingly close to the types of worlds science fiction writers have been warning us about for the better part of a century.
A scientist by the name of Hashem Al-Ghaili recently unveiled the concept for artificial birthing pods.
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Called EctoLife, These Artificial Wombs Are Capable Of Birthing 30,000 Babies Per Year.
A nearly nine-minute-long concept video on Al-Ghaili’s YouTube channel shows the labs, which not only grow babies from embryo to birth, but do so using sustainable energy.
The Video Delves Into How It Could Help Countries With Declining Birthrates.
As the video claims, the pods would also be beneficial for mothers who may have fertility issues or are at risk of complications.
The Video Shows Off All Of Its State Of The Art Technology.
There would be large chambers filled with the fluids and nutrients a fetus would normally get in-utero, as well as apps to help future parents speak to and bond with their pod babies.
And Of Course, There Would Be VR Capabilities.
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a developing fetus, EctoLife has the answer. The concept video includes the idea of a VR chamber for parents to see what the baby sees while in the pod.
EctoLife Would Also Have An “Elite Package” For Optimal Genetics.
The video claims that parents would be able to choose to genetically engineer their kids so that they would not inherit certain diseases, but would also be able to choose their hair color, skin tone, eye color, and other “optimal” traits (in other words, eugenics ).
While The Concept Video Claims This To Be The Future Of Childbirth, Viewers Are Not Convinced.
Some alluded to the fact that this kind of technology could (and probably would) be used to clone people, while others referenced a quote from Jurassic Park .
In Fact, Most Felt It Was Horrifying More Than Anything.
Commenters from all over were very quick to express how much they felt that this kind of technology was a bad idea.
Users Were Also Off-Put And Disgusted.
There are probably more reasons why this is a bad idea than why it could be good (at the very least, it’s pretty creepy).
Luckily, It’s Just A Concept.
While the concept almost feels feasible with today’s technology, no such lab exists. But, that doesn’t mean we won’t see them pop up in the distant (or not-so-distant) future.
h/t Unilad
