This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6269791.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
US doctors plan womb transplant US doctors plan womb transplant
(40 minutes later)
A team of doctors in New York say they are planning to perform the first womb transplant in the US.A team of doctors in New York say they are planning to perform the first womb transplant in the US.
The procedure would potentially allow women who have had their wombs damaged or removed to develop a pregnancy and give birth.The procedure would potentially allow women who have had their wombs damaged or removed to develop a pregnancy and give birth.
The plan is use a womb from a woman who has died.The plan is use a womb from a woman who has died.
A womb transplant has been tried once before, in Saudi Arabia in 2000, but then the womb came from a live donor, and was rejected after three months.A womb transplant has been tried once before, in Saudi Arabia in 2000, but then the womb came from a live donor, and was rejected after three months.
If a pregnant uterus rejects you have got a serious medical problem Dr Sherman SilberInfertility expert Ethics of non-vital transplantsIf a pregnant uterus rejects you have got a serious medical problem Dr Sherman SilberInfertility expert Ethics of non-vital transplants
If the New York team are successful, it 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.If the New York team are successful, it 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 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 next step would be to place a donated uterus into a recipient through an incision below the navel.
Caesarean sectionCaesarean section
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.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.After birth by Caesarean section the uterus would be removed to minimise the risk of tissue rejection.
Dr Giuseppe Del Priore, who is leading the transplant project, said: "Transplant medicine has improved sufficiently to allow us to consider non-vital transplants.Dr Giuseppe Del Priore, who is leading the transplant project, said: "Transplant medicine has improved sufficiently to allow us to consider non-vital transplants.
"That is why we are talking about face, hands, and other things as well.""That is why we are talking about face, hands, and other things as well."
Some in the medical community here are warning that the procedure would be extremely dangerous.Some in the medical community here 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."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 and that many infertile women will enthusiastically pursue the opportunity to give birth to their own child.But the surgeons directly involved believe the risks can be minimised and that many infertile women will enthusiastically pursue the opportunity to give birth to their own child.
Hundreds of women have inquired about the procedure at the Downtown Hospital, and 40 to 50 are currently being screened.Hundreds of women have inquired about the procedure at the Downtown Hospital, and 40 to 50 are currently being screened.
However, a transplant is not expected "any time in the near future".However, a transplant is not expected "any time in the near future".

How would the potential of womb transplants affect you? Are they ethical? Send us views using the form below:
Name