We've Come a Long Way, Baby!
Ultrasound of human fetus at four months.Copyright Jim Gathany, US Department of Health and Human Services http://phil.cdc.gov/PHIL_Images/04182000/00005/Ultrasound_lores.jpg
Students discuss several human reproductive technologies available today — pregnancy ultrasound, amniocentesis, in-vitro fertilization and labor anesthetics. They learn how each technology works, and that these are ways engineers have worked to improve the health of expecting mothers and babies.
Like other animals, human beings instinctively use any resources available to ensure the survival of their species. Engineers respond to this human need by creating technological solutions to reproductive problems. Technologies such as ultrasound, amniocentesis, in-vitro fertilization and anesthetics improve medical care and increase the rate of successful births, thus protecting the human species.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define four reproductive technologies: pregnancy ultrasound, amniocentesis, in-vitro fertilization and labor anesthetics.
- Describe how engineers create technologies to improve the health of mothers and babies.