Artists and scientists explore future of reproduction
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Cristin Millett, an art professor at Penn State, and collaborators from multiple departments at Penn State and the University of Western Australia began the Ex-Utero Project five years ago to investigate the possibilities of ectogenesis, growing embryos outside the uterus.
The interdisciplinary team combines artistic practice with reproductive science, specifically studying the human placenta. Millett performs cannulation, a procedure involving inserting a needle into the umbilical vein of a placenta, dozens of times as part of the project.
The researchers are also developing a scaffolding material from umbilical cords that could be used for tissue regeneration, advancing the field of regenerative medicine. Alongside Millett, documentary filmmaker Cindy White documents the scientific and artistic processes, creating multimedia installations for presentation at conferences. The project explores the ethical, cultural, and political implications of ectogenesis, even though the technology to fully develop an embryo outside the uterus does not yet exist.
Millett believes the collaboration between art and science builds community and encourages discovery as they examine the potential for the placenta to become unnecessary with advancing technologies.
