Fetal Lamb in a Bag: Scientists Hope to Replicate for Humans

[BillTre]

Scientists have been able to bring fetal lambs to term using plastic bags to replace their normal amniotic sacks and a bit of plumbing to replace the placenta. They hope to do this with premature humans eventually.

Not sure about the placental replacement part since I thought the placenta had some hormonal effects on the fetus, but maybe that's only at earlier stages or for the mother.

 

[256bits]

For premies, maturing within the sack or outside, the placenta isn't available in either case.
This is not for embryonic development to maturity, as that I would think would be years away.
Even the "placental fluid" is not much more than a saline solution for the sack.

 

[jim mcnamara]

@256bits -

maturing within the sack or outside, the placenta isn't available in either case.

This does not make sense to me, can you please explain? They are going to supplant/replace the placenta. My take on it, anyway.

 

[256bits]

@256bits -

This does not make sense to me, can you please explain? They are going to supplant/replace the placenta. My take on it, anyway.

Presently neonatal intensive care for premature is through an incubation unit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonatal_intensive_care_unit
So it would be a step forward I believe, to have a placenta type care unit.
As this is a prototype and experimental, it's features would change in future use for humans, with more placental features.

 

[Andy SV]

Haha haha yes one step closer to !... Um oh I er yes that is very interesting