It may seem like something straight out of a Sci-Fi Movie such as "The Matrix," having a baby be grown completely outside of a mother's womb. Yes, technology has taken us to the level where the egg and sperm can be fertilized in a lab, to create the embryo, and even frozen if necessary. But as far as growing the actual fetus outside the womb this is something that wasn't possible outside of a movie; that is until now.

A research team in Tokyo is working on growing the fetuses of goats in what can only be described as an artificial womb. Within this unit, the fetuses are given oxygenated blood through tubes that are similar to an umbilical cord. The fetuses also exist and grow within liquid similar to the amniotic fluid that is kept at the necessary body temperature to sustain the fetus. The environment is made as similar to that of the mother's womb as possible.

So, is this just the beginning? If this research is successful could it be just a matter of time before a human fetus is created in the same way? Now some could say this is like playing God, and maybe we shouldn't go there. But there are some advantages to this technology coming about. Think about the women who wants to have a child and can create the egg but can't carry a child due to a health problem. With this sort of technology, there could one day be a chance that a surrogate mother won't be necessary for a couple to have this child.

This isn't the first time that technology has helped to make new advancements in fertility. There was a time when a child born way too prematurely had little chance of survival, and now thanks to modern innovations in incubators the survival rate have become greater. There was a time when performing surgery while a child is still within the womb wasn't possible, but now fetal surgery is done. These innovations along with that of fertilizing the embryo outside of the womb also started in a lab. These are now becoming more commonly done and there could come a time when having the option to grow a fetus within an artificial womb is also considered common to happen. Doesn't have to seem like something out of a futuristic Sci-Fi film that should be feared but maybe a form of medical advancement that might benefit couples hoping to have a child.