The Artificial Uterus. Birth without bodies

Directed by

Marie Mandy

Written by

Marie Mandy

Produced by

ARTE France, The Factory, Fontana, RTBF

Documentary, France, 2011, 52 min

An artificial placenta, a synthetic amniotic fluid… These medical advancements designed to help premature babies could soon allow the creation of an "artificial uterus”, and with it the possibility of fabricating human babies outside a woman’s body.

The film is a scientific investigation about this life-making machine. How could it work? Why would we want to externalise pregnancy? Who will benefit from it? What will the consequences be on the future baby? Award-winning film director Marie Mandy explores the value of life and the power of science in this thoughtprovoking and creative film.

Debate with :

• Marie Mandy, director
• Jean-Yves Picard, research director at Inserm and director of Inserm - Université Paris Sud Unit 582 Endocrinology and genetics of reproduction and development