Scientists Use Artificial Womb to Keep Premature Lambs Alive

From NewsMax.com (Apr. 25):

Scientists have been able to keep premature lambs alive for weeks using an artificial womb that looks like a plastic bag, providing a nutrient-rich blood supply and a protective sac of amniotic fluid, researchers reported.

Writing in the journal Nature Communications, researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia believe the approach might one day help premature human babies have a better chance of survival.

In a video that accompanied the release of the study, Emily Partridge, a research fellow at the hospital, described being struck by the sight of the zipped-up lamb fetuses, "breathing, swallowing, swimming, dreaming" – all with "complete detachment from the placenta and from mom."  [read more]

Good to hear. Hopefully, premature human babies will be able to do the same too.