In a new technological development that raises ethical questions, Chinese scientists have already succeeded in developing a robotic system that supports artificial intelligence and takes care of fetuses in artificial wombs.

The robot was developed to monitor and nurture human embryos growing in artificial wombs, as a potential solution to the growth and population problems in China, where birth rates have fallen to their lowest level in six decades.

Chinese scientists have tested the robotic nanny on a number of animal embryos, but experiments on human embryos are still prohibited under international law.

The researchers stress that this automated system, in theory, may be safer than traditional childbirth, but what frightens observers is that China will accelerate its use, which may make its hospitals turn into factories to produce children on demand.

The artificial uterus is a container in which a number of embryos grow in a row of cubes filled with nutritious fluids. It is said that the robotic nanny can monitor the embryos, detect changes, modify their artificial environments and alert the technical team in case the fetus has a birth defect.

The research paper published by Chinese researchers in the Journal of Biomedical Engineering stated that the work of this robot will help answer many scientific questions that revolve around the physiology of typical human genetic development, as well as provide a theoretical basis for birth defects and other reproductive health problems.

However, the Chinese invention - and before it was certified - raises major ethical issues, this technology was inspired by a short story from science fiction.