The uterine replicator was a Betan technological advance that allowed unborn human fetuses to be gestated in vitro, rather than in a woman's body. The invention spurred a surge in experimentation on humans, and triggered the development of Quaddies and Betan hermaphrodites. In addition, the invention of the uterine replicator allowed the Founding Fathers of Athos to realize their dream of a world without women.