The commodification of babies: An attempt to control through technological advancements in human reproduction

Herber Y.

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The commodification of babies: An attempt to control through technological advancements in human reproduction

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Abstract

We live in a capitalist society. From our moment of birth, we are being socialized to believe that life is a competition and we must continuously fight to win. Jobs have long ago become specialized and almost everything is a commodity. This shapes every aspect of our lives from the most private activities that occur at home to our behavior in the public sphere. Specifically, new technologies have now allowed the progress in child bearing. Interested adults now have the ability to shop for eggs and screen their fetuses to allow for the best baby possible.

Introduction
The existence and specific presentation of egg donation
The fertility clinics and donor banks
The new tool used in human reproduction
The introduction of diagnostic tests during pregnancy
The issues revolving around prenatal diagnosis
The new level of control over the next generation
The dilemma the many new developments
Conclusion
Works cited

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[...] (Macklin, 106) It is understandable why in a society where one is not allowed to sell themselves, their labor, or even there blood from an ethical standpoint, why the buying and selling of human eggs would cause equal anxiety. However, the aspect of egg commodification that I find the most disturbing is the control that it allows humans to have over population characteristics. At this point in my intellectual development, I think that even if the eggs were donated, which would greatly decrease number of donors, the fertility business would not change: potential parents would still expect the right to shop around for their perfect egg. [...]

[...] The main way in which babies differ from other commodities in our society-besides the fact that they are human beings-is the inevitable lack of control over the situation. (Hubbard, 341) The popular thought now is that parents have control, and should therefore take the blame, for the outcome of their children. (Hubbard, 342) But, it is still the case that environmental factors play a huge role at every level of reproduction. Works Cited: Coontz, Stephanie. Man's Home is His Castle: The Family and Outside Intervention." The way we never were: American families and the nostalgia trap. [...]

[...] Overall, this new tool used in human reproduction gets rid of many previously limiting controls on child birth. For instance, genetics health and age-these three characteristics used to be essential to having a healthy child. Now, an older women of the right socioeconomic status can buy go out buy younger eggs and pay for another women to carry them. Furthermore, just like in any market situation, this luxury is limited to only those who have the monetary resources necessary. (Hubbard, 337) Further browsing through the site brings up lists of services and fees, including the "Newly Reduced Fee/ (For a limited time only)". [...]

[...] (Hubbard, 336) Society today, with all of our modern advancements, has allowed parents to take on the role of a consumer in child birth. Family building is now thought of as a series of decisions and contracts rather than a game of chance. Eggs and fetuses are viewed as products that can be compared and shifted through in order to find the best one. (Hubbard, 336) (Shanley, 99) This not only allows for unnecessary control over the genes that will be passed along to the next generation, but supports unhealthy notions about child birth. [...]

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