1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910449690003321

Autore

Becker Gaylene

Titolo

The elusive embryo [[electronic resource] ] : how women and men approach new reproductive technologies / / Gay Becker

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Berkeley, : University of California Press, 2000

ISBN

1-59734-589-X

1-282-35509-0

9786612355097

0-520-92524-6

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (333 p.)

Disciplina

616.6/9206

Soggetti

Human reproductive technology

Infertility - Patients

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. 297-314) and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction: From Personal Experience to Research -- 1. Consuming Technologies -- 2. Confronting Notions of Normalcy -- 3. The Embattled Body -- 4. Genes and Generations -- 5. Experiencing Risks -- 6. Taking Action -- 7. Selling Hope -- 8. Decisions about Donors -- 9. Embodied Technology -- 10. Shifting Gears -- 11. Redefining Normalcy -- 12. Women Rethinking Parenthood -- 13. Rewriting the Family -- 14. Performing Gender -- Appendix: About the Research -- Glossary -- Notes -- References -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

In the first book to examine the industry of reproductive technology from the perspective of the consumer, Gay Becker scrutinizes the staggering array of medical options available to women and men with fertility problems and assesses the toll-both financial and emotional-that the quest for a biological child often exacts from would-be parents. Becker interviewed hundreds of people over a period of years; their stories are presented here in their own words. Absorbing, informative, and in many cases moving, these stories address deep-seated notions about gender, self-worth, and the cultural ideal of



biological parenthood. Becker moves beyond people's personal experiences to examine contemporary meanings of technology and the role of consumption in modern life. What emerges is a clear view of technology as culture, with technology the template on which issues such as gender, nature, and the body are being rewritten and continuously altered. The Elusive Embryo chronicles the history and development of reproductive technology, and shows how global forces in consumer culture have contributed to the industry's growth. Becker examines how increasing use of reproductive technology has changed ideas about "natural" pregnancy and birth. Discussing topics such as in vitro fertilization, how men and women "naturalize" the use of a donor, and what happens when new reproductive technologies don't work, Becker shows how the experience of infertility has become increasingly politicized as potential parents confront the powerful forces that shape this industry. The Elusive Embryo is accessible, well written, and well documented. It will be an invaluable resource for people using or considering new reproductive technologies as well as for social scientists and health professionals.