Technologies of Reproduction Across the Lifecourse: Expanding Reproductive Studies

The use of various high- and low-tech reproductive technologies is not isolated to certain groups of people but is experienced by many individuals throughout their lives. Clinical, public health, and social scientific research often focuses on specific physiological events, technologies, and people, limiting the broader understanding of reproductive technologies. This book aims to bridge the gap between disciplines and explore the diverse perspectives and meanings of reproductive technologies across the lifespan, challenging the notion of reproductive studies being confined to narrow ideas and power structures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 364 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Human reproduction is a complex process that involves a wide range of high- and low-tech technologies. While these technologies are widely used by individuals, they are not typically experienced in isolation. However, clinical, public health, and social scientific research often tends to specialize in specific areas of biomedical intervention related to reproduction. Studies often focus on specific physiological events, technologies (particularly those that are more technologically advanced or 'modern'), and groups of people, primarily cis, heterosexual, white, middle-class women.

However, as reproductive technologies continue to evolve and expand, it is becoming increasingly common for individuals to engage with multiple reproductive technologies throughout their lives. With the ever-expanding horizon of reproductive technologies and the rapid development of the fertility industry, it is anticipated that many individuals will encounter a variety of these technologies at some point.

Technologies of Reproduction Across the Lifecourse aims to address this issue by bringing together scholars from various disciplines to explore different reproductive technologies from a comparative empirical perspective. The book argues that operating within disciplinary silos and having narrow ideas about reproductive technologies and their meanings can pose risks to reproductive studies. By examining these technologies across different lifecourses and contexts, the book seeks to shed light on the ways in which power structures shape reproductive life and to challenge the dominant narratives that often govern our understanding of reproductive health and technology.

One of the key themes of the book is the ways in which reproductive technologies are intertwined with broader social, economic, and political structures. Scholars explore how these technologies are used to regulate and control reproduction, as well as how they are shaped by and contribute to these structures. For example, the book examines how reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) are used to expand access to fertility treatment for individuals who may not otherwise have been able to conceive. However, it also highlights the ways in which these technologies can be used to reinforce existing power inequalities, such as by privileging certain groups of people over others based on their socioeconomic status or race.

Another theme of the book is the ways in which reproductive technologies are experienced and interpreted by individuals and communities. Scholars explore how these technologies are incorporated into everyday life, how they are negotiated and contested, and how they shape individual and collective identities. For example, the book examines how reproductive technologies such as surrogacy are used to create families for individuals who may not be able to conceive or carry a pregnancy. It also explores how these technologies are experienced and interpreted by the surrogate mothers, the intended parents, and the broader community.

The book also highlights the ethical and social implications of reproductive technologies. Scholars explore how these technologies are regulated and overseen, as well as how they raise questions about autonomy, consent, and the nature of reproduction. For example, the book examines how reproductive technologies such as genetic engineering are used to modify embryos or create genetically modified individuals. It also explores how these technologies raise questions about the boundaries of human nature, the potential for discrimination, and the responsibilities of scientists and policymakers.

In conclusion, Technologies of Reproduction Across the Lifecourse is a valuable contribution to the field of reproductive studies. By bringing together scholars from various disciplines and perspectives, the book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of different reproductive technologies and their implications for individuals, communities, and society as a whole. The book challenges the dominant narratives that often govern our understanding of reproductive health and technology and encourages scholars to think critically about the ways in which these technologies are used and experienced. As reproductive technologies continue to evolve and expand, it is essential that we continue to engage with these issues from a multidisciplinary and critical perspective.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 161 x 237 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800717343