British scientists step closer to womb transplants

Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 04:28 in Health & Medicine

Breakthrough could offer alternative to surrogacy but extra funding is needed to complete human womb transplant studies British scientists believe they are a step closer to carrying out the first successful womb transplant. They have worked out how to transplant a womb with a good blood supply which could mean it lasts long enough to carry a pregnancy to term. A breakthrough would offer an alternative to surrogacy or adoption for women whose own wombs have been damaged by diseases such as cervical cancer. Around 15,000 women of childbearing age are currently living with a womb that does not work or were born without one. Richard Smith, consultant gynaecological surgeon at Hammersmith hospital in London, presented his latest research on rabbits at a US fertility conference. He said more than 50 women have approached him about transplants. He and colleagues need cash to move their research forward but have been...

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