Uterus transplants

Having posted that, less than a minute later I heard on Woman's Hour that they're going to be talking about artificial wombs in today's programme.

The point is that the uterine transplants into men (trans women) ship is sailing whether you like it or not.

Studies have been and are being done discussing the feasibility by addressing all the physiological barriers (hormones, blood supply, lingamentous support, immuno-suppression, assisted childbirth, etc) one by one. The conclusions of these studies is that these barriers are most probably surmountable. They’re conducting animal experiments right now on this, so obviously it’s already been cleared in terms of the participating nations’ bio-ethics boards that the potential benefit to humans outweighs the suffering of the animals.

The bio-ethics of uterine transplants specifically for men/trans women have also been discussed since 2014 when it first seemed a remote possibility. This discussion is now trending towards a majority view that broadly supports it in terms of reproductive justice with the assertion that donors can be sourced ethically.

That’s the current state of things. Saying it’s not possible, it’s not ethical. Well you’re probably wrong on the first count and on the second, now is the time to speak up because the tide is taking that ship in the direction of saying it would be unethical to deny interior transplants for transwomen.

One question I'd be interested to hear polling on is:

What proportion of transwomen who would like to have a uterus inserted in their bodies would still want this if it was non-functional?

Funny how all these procedures/interventions to help trans people always seem to be centered around making men feel more girly. I never see anyone working to create ballsacks to allow women to produce sperm. Funny that.

Absolutely @RoseslnTheHospital
This is abhorrent.
The suggested use of ftm 'donors' is staggering; another example of reducing women to body parts.
Slightly off topic but on the same daily mirror website, there's an interesting article about a celebrity/surrogacy...... more use for a woman's body parts??????
It must really stick in men's craw that we have so much of what they want. And can't have

Just thinking about female to female transplants, would they want an ex-c-section one though?

The fact that a temporary uterine transplant into a woman is possible does not in any way indicate that it would be possible or ethical to implant a uterus into a male bodied person. If you think it does, you don't have a sufficient understanding of the differences between the female and male body, nor of pregnancy and reproduction in general.

If that means coming off the donor register - and I've been on it for decades - then so be it. There are very major ethical concerns here, and I won't be a part of it.

My understanding at the moment is that although we've all given presumed consent (unless we've opted out), the family and friends are still asked about your intentions and discuss it with specialist clinicians who talk to you about organ donation in general.

So, the family could consent to heart/kidneys/lungs etc. but refuse (say) the removal of the womb.

Would that make any difference? Is your objection to TW as potential recipients of your donation or would you just be unhappy about it altogether?

Definitely! I told my mother when I was a teenager that I would be happy to have a hysterectomy at that age! Because I had such painful and heavy periods.

of course, when I actually grew up and realised all that entailed with hysterectomies, and just how much of a last resort they are and just how much it impacts your life to have one and just the physical health repercussions of having one... of course I realised how many layers of wrong that was and is.

My point being, in my teenage years where I had no concept of all that I would have been easily guided to make that decision.

In the same way I absolutely would not donate my eggs as I am very much not ok with children being created that I have no means of knowing and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of, I would absolutely refuse to donate my uterus.

If that means coming off the donor register - and I've been on it for decades - then so be it. There are very major ethical concerns here, and I won't be a part of it.

@KangarooKenny
If you can rent a womb to gestate a baby, it's a sort step to buying a womb.

Ah, but they DO know about being a woman. It is swishy hair and admiring each others' lipstick and swapping tampax in the public toilets.
You are clearly 'womaning' all wrong.

Definitely! I told my mother when I was a teenager that I would be happy to have a hysterectomy at that age! Because I had such painful and heavy periods.

Good grief, imagine if our healthy reproductive organs are coveted in the same way as other vital organs and could be whipped away under the donor card scheme if something happened to us?!

Its a really grotesque thought and would have me reconsidering my decision to carry a donor card/remain opted in.

I wonder under what circumstances would you and other posters agree to a donation after death?

I am strongly I'm favour of organo donation I hope mine can be used after death. But I would not consent to my uterus being given to a male. So that means I will withdraw consent for my uterus to be donated if its possible without opting out completely.

However , as we dint get to choose the recipients unless its a direvted dontation, i do fear that this plays right into the whole " if I can't have it no one can" narrative that is very common on the tra side. It's an awful situation. Whoever wins women lose.

I find the mention of transmen as a potential source worrying, not because it's realistic but because it's another way of manipulating an already vulnerable group of young teenagers.

Does having a functioning uterus benefit my sex life?

No. No it doesn't. It's either irrelevant or a whopping great barrier in reality

So this is about creating headspace. Major surgery with all the expense to support headspace for better emotional wellbeing. For male people. Creating an illusion that bears absolutely no connection to the reality of a female person.
And the NHS can't afford hip replacements or cataracts or pain management, speech therapy for non verbal kids, the waiting lists are years long...

I don't want my womb being used post mortem, ever. It is not quite clear right now what 'tissues' actually means, if you read the info on organ donation.

Forgot to say what a terrific post that was from @nauticant.

I wonder under what circumstances would you and other posters agree to a donation after death?

How abhorrent. As mentioned up thread, I fear organ trafficking for wombs for vulnerable women as the next thing.

Certainly will (try to) make sure my organ donation card isn’t abused to take my womb for this Frankenstein experiment when I die. I guess this is where they plan on getting the bulk from. Just sickening.

Yes all of this in spades. Mind games. The whole of it makes me sick.

Is there not an international code of ethics that science and medicine follows?

an overwhelming 90% majority of respondents expressed the belief that having a transplanted, functioning uterus and vagina would benefit their sex life and perceived sense of femininity,

Just noting that one sentence for the moment.

Well they're welcome to mine. Having just endured yet another gynae procedure having a rod forced through my cervix and my womb scraped leaving me with cramping and bleeding.
I have a feeling if any male bodied person knew anything about being a woman they would change their minds quick sharp .