Artificial womb technology; a scoping review of ethical considerations.

As artificial womb technology (AWT) nears clinical translation for extreme prematurity, ethical interest has grown. To characterize this ethical landscape, we conducted a scoping review of ethical considerations of AWT searching Medline, Embase, and Web-of-Science through March 2025. Ethical considerations were extracted and organized using thematic analysis. In total, 247 papers were included: 114 (46.2%) focused on AWT for extreme prematurity and 133 (53.8%) on futuristic complete ectogenesis. Most papers were authored by bioethics scholars (157/247, 63.5%), and within this group, the majority addressed complete ectogenesis (98/157, 62.4%). Seven thematic categories were identified: Benefits and Harm; Decision-making; Moral and Legal Status; Justice and Access; Cultural and Societal Perspectives; Research Ethics and Speculative Concerns. Overall, AWT ethics literature is divided between concerns about "complete ectogenesis" and use for extreme prematurity. Insights from clinically focused literature and comprehensive stakeholder engagement are essential for ethical guidance of impending clinical translation of AWT.

Duke Scholars

Author Sharla Marie Rent Pediatrics, Neonatology

Author Ryan M Antiel Surgery, Pediatric General Surgery

Author Felix De bie