An artificial uterus akin to the ones described in the novel "Brave New World" have been actually created. Yes, even the tubes for nutrition and excretion have been experimentally created to keep an embryo alive for several days in an artificial-womb created out of some sort of cloning technology.

[ 02-10-2002: Message edited by: profchallenger1 ]

Is sex necessary in the future?

No, from a Biblical and biological pespective, which was/is procreation. Why work up a sweat when you can just have your mouth swabed for a DNA sample?

Yes, from a cultural/moral/societal perspective. Sex today seems to have taken the place of a handshake, holding hands, or a wave. It means as much as brushing your teeth.

Science and technology are going too far too fast, while societal values are regressing at the same rapid rate.

I think the artificial womb/uterus is a good idea, but from what I read about it in the above post, it seems that there was no mention on how the unborn child would get vital nutrients. How would it get fed? Everyone knows that, in order for a fetus to grow, the mother has to give it nutrients that come from eating. How would, or could, the doctors, scientists, or artificial womb do this?

Also, would about the child's sense of self? Everyone knows that a newborn child recognizes the mother's voice from hearing it in the womb. How would this affect the maternal bond?

Another thing, what will happen in the future? Will we just have mail-order babies? You want a child? Just order one!

Only a woman can have a baby, if some are meant to be without a child, maybe there's a good reason for it. If the woman has some kind of problem with infertility, it could be corrected and then she could have her own baby.

This would be a good idea for endangered species, but unfortunately, humans aren't endangered.

Hummm,, Now who would not want a perfect baby, with a brilliant IQ, physical characteristics of the perfect, and a child that would do home work, be home on time. And not have to go through the pains and stretching of child birth.
OH what a bright future we have.
Sex,, not for work of procreation any more.

I would write a song about it, but I can think of a few that alreay cover it all.

I am pretty sure I have lived in the best of times.

I think this one is more a controversial issue rather than merely current events so I am going to move over there.... once I have added to the thread.

Having been there twice I have to say that I very much enjoyed being pregnant, it was a most incredible experience and one I wouldn't have missed for all the money in the world. OK, the births hurt but what the heck, even the worst of the two only lasted eighteen hours.

Had you offered me the opportunity of having eithr one of the two children by means of an artificial uterus I wouldn't have touched it with a ten foot barge pole.

In most relationships the impregnation is done with love, true some are accidents and some the result of rape but not the majority. To remove the natural way of becoming pregnant in favour of artificial insemination would be abhorent to many if not most.... such methods of producing a pregnancy should be reserved for those who cannot conceive naturally, those for whom this is the only way they can become pregnant.

As for producing 'the perfect human', Hitler had those thoughts from what I understand.