Embryos, Pregnancies, and Transgressions: a Comparative Analysis of Social Representations of Surrogacy and Embryo Donation in Italy

Authors

  • Guerzoni Guerzoni University of Bologna

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14672/ada20242pp63-72

Keywords:

Surrogacy, Embryo donation, Reproduction, ARTs, embryos

Abstract

Every year the number of people who use assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to have children is growing. Among the most complex techniques are in vitro fertilization (IVF), which includes donation of gametes, embryos (embryo donation), and surrogacy. This article presents ethnographic cases collected in California (2014-2017; 2017-2020) and Italy (2020-2023) and examines embryo donation and surrogacy, practices that involve social, legal, and moral transgressions. My findings show how social representations of surrogacy and embryo donation influence the perceptions and experiences of those involved, revealing a complex framework of social, moral, and legal norms that are renegotiated within ARTs’ processes.

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Published

2025-02-05

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024)

Section

Special Focus. Contemporary relationalities: Between normativity and transgressi

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