Technologies of Procreation

Now available in paperback, this book takes a fresh look at the social and cultural implications of the new reproductive technologies and assisted conception. It has already attracted a wide readership in anthropology, sociology and health.
Procreation is not just about how human beings come into being - it is also about how relationships come into being. Consequently changes in procreative practice will have repercussions for thinking about the formation of such relationships. What are the cultural and anthropological understandings of new reproductive technologies? Using evidence from cross-disciplinary research carried out in 1990-1991 this text tackles debates relating to the concept of kinship. When first published in 1993, "Technologies of Procreation" introduced many new insights into the anthropological issues associated with these new technologies. In what way do they affect society? What are the effects of the embryo's recent treatment as an individual? What does it mean to be "interfering with nature"? What are the consequences of an increase in multiple births? This text aims to bridge the gap between medical technology and cultural values.