The procedure could bring new hope of becoming a mother to millions of women worldwide, many of whom have had their wombs removed due to illnesses such as cancer. The New York surgeons have been running trials over the last six months which they say have confirmed that it is possible to remove the wombs of deceased donors in the same way as hearts, kidneys and livers are taken for transplant.
The next step would be to place a donated uterus into a recipient through an incision below the navel. The recipient's own embryo - which would have been harvested and frozen prior to the treatment - would be transferred into the transplanted womb allowing the pregnancy to develop. After birth by Caesarean section the uterus would be removed to minimise the risk of tissue rejection.
Some within the medical community are warning that the procedure would be extremely dangerous.
Dr Sherman Silber, an infertility expert from St Louis, said: "At any time during the nine months of pregnancy it could very easily reject, and if a pregnant uterus rejects you have got a serious medical problem."
But the surgeons directly involved believe the risks can be minimised. Nonetheless, a transplant is not expected "any time in the near future".
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January 2007 |
