Artificial womb technology in Africa: evaluating the ethico-cultural implications from a Zulu indigenous perspective.

Abstract

This study examines the ethical and cultural challenges posed by Artificial Womb Technology(AWT) through the lens of Zulu Indigenous thought, using the framework of Isintuism. The study outlines that AWT, by transferring gestation from the human body to an artificial environment, contributes to various challenges to core Zulu values. The technology disrupts the sacred role of the mother, interferes with ancestral rituals essential for establishing lineage and personhood, and commodifies the natural processes of life. The study concludes that the Artificial Womb Technology has potential biomedical advantages, however the technology poses challenges to the spiritual and communal foundations of Zulu identity, necessitating a cautious approach guided by African ethical principles.