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Paid to share: IVF patients, eggs and stem cell research

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Paid to share: IVF patients, eggs and stem cell research. / Roberts, Celia; Throsby, Karen.
In: Social Science and Medicine, Vol. 66, No. 1, 01.2008, p. 159-169.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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Roberts, C & Throsby, K 2008, 'Paid to share: IVF patients, eggs and stem cell research', Social Science and Medicine, vol. 66, no. 1, pp. 159-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.08.011

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Vancouver

Roberts C, Throsby K. Paid to share: IVF patients, eggs and stem cell research. Social Science and Medicine. 2008 Jan;66(1):159-169. Epub 2007 Oct 4. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.08.011

Author

Roberts, Celia ; Throsby, Karen. / Paid to share: IVF patients, eggs and stem cell research. In: Social Science and Medicine. 2008 ; Vol. 66, No. 1. pp. 159-169.

Bibtex

@article{c17b30b61f0b46a1bcfa310155d0ad7c,
title = "Paid to share: IVF patients, eggs and stem cell research",
abstract = "Following a recent decision by the human fertilisation and embryology authority (HFEA), British women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment can be {\textquoteleft}paid to share{\textquoteright} their eggs with stem cell researchers. The HFEA and the clinic proposing the scheme present this as a {\textquoteleft}win–win{\textquoteright} arrangement benefiting both infertile women and couples and British science. It is also represented as concurrently both {\textquoteleft}business as usual{\textquoteright} and an exceptional case. Constituting a significant departure from the previous policy and practice of altruistic donation, the scheme has raised significant concerns among clinicians and activists. Here, we ask what questions feminists can bring to these debates without resorting to a position of either refusal or affirmation. Drawing on diverse materials from public debates, as well as social scientific literature on gamete and embryo donation, we undertake a close analysis of the discursive framing and justification of the proposal. We argue that these discourses are characterised by three linked areas of elision and distinction: treatment and research; eggs and embryos; and donation and selling. Our analysis highlights the need for innovative social, ethical and political consideration of egg sharing for stem cell research.",
keywords = "UK, gamete donation, IVF, stem cell research, feminism, human eggs",
author = "Celia Roberts and Karen Throsby",
year = "2008",
month = jan,
doi = "10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.08.011",
language = "English",
volume = "66",
pages = "159--169",
journal = "Social Science and Medicine",
issn = "0277-9536",
publisher = "Elsevier Limited",
number = "1",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Paid to share: IVF patients, eggs and stem cell research

AU - Roberts, Celia

AU - Throsby, Karen

PY - 2008/1

Y1 - 2008/1

N2 - Following a recent decision by the human fertilisation and embryology authority (HFEA), British women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment can be ‘paid to share’ their eggs with stem cell researchers. The HFEA and the clinic proposing the scheme present this as a ‘win–win’ arrangement benefiting both infertile women and couples and British science. It is also represented as concurrently both ‘business as usual’ and an exceptional case. Constituting a significant departure from the previous policy and practice of altruistic donation, the scheme has raised significant concerns among clinicians and activists. Here, we ask what questions feminists can bring to these debates without resorting to a position of either refusal or affirmation. Drawing on diverse materials from public debates, as well as social scientific literature on gamete and embryo donation, we undertake a close analysis of the discursive framing and justification of the proposal. We argue that these discourses are characterised by three linked areas of elision and distinction: treatment and research; eggs and embryos; and donation and selling. Our analysis highlights the need for innovative social, ethical and political consideration of egg sharing for stem cell research.

AB - Following a recent decision by the human fertilisation and embryology authority (HFEA), British women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment can be ‘paid to share’ their eggs with stem cell researchers. The HFEA and the clinic proposing the scheme present this as a ‘win–win’ arrangement benefiting both infertile women and couples and British science. It is also represented as concurrently both ‘business as usual’ and an exceptional case. Constituting a significant departure from the previous policy and practice of altruistic donation, the scheme has raised significant concerns among clinicians and activists. Here, we ask what questions feminists can bring to these debates without resorting to a position of either refusal or affirmation. Drawing on diverse materials from public debates, as well as social scientific literature on gamete and embryo donation, we undertake a close analysis of the discursive framing and justification of the proposal. We argue that these discourses are characterised by three linked areas of elision and distinction: treatment and research; eggs and embryos; and donation and selling. Our analysis highlights the need for innovative social, ethical and political consideration of egg sharing for stem cell research.

KW - UK

KW - gamete donation

KW - IVF

KW - stem cell research

KW - feminism

KW - human eggs

U2 - 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.08.011

DO - 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.08.011

M3 - Journal article

VL - 66

SP - 159

EP - 169

JO - Social Science and Medicine

JF - Social Science and Medicine

SN - 0277-9536

IS - 1

ER -