Issues in Reproductive Technology edited by Helen Bequaert Holmes (Book review)

Abstract

'Issues in Reproductive Technology' addresses the moral, ethical, psychological, and social aspects of recent developments in human reproductive technology. It tackles this challenging task in an admirably broad-based way, with contributors from Australia, Canada, Denmark, UK and the Netherlands adding their perspectives to a variety of American contributors -- from academics and health activists to researchers and government consultants. The collection's starting point is the uncontroversial recognition that as human reproduction slowly becomes medicalised and technologised, careful assessment is required. The effect of the development of technology and its use in reproduction is far from neutral. The fundamental question around which the book pivots is: When technology is brought into play, does it enhance a woman's ability to liberate herself from the expectations and demands placed on women by society, for example by exploitation, restricted role expectations, marginalisation, and maleness as norm?