Relatedness in Assisted Reproduction : Families, Origins and Identities

This multidisciplinary book presents fresh insights into relatedness in assisted reproduction. Assisted conception, which may involve the use of known or unknown sperm, egg or embryo donors as well as surrogates, both challenges and reinforces traditional perceptions of family relatedness bound by psychological, social, biological, moral and legal ties.

Assisted reproduction challenges and reinforces traditional understandings of family, kinship and identity. Sperm, egg and embryo donation and surrogacy raise questions about relatedness for parents, children and others involved in creating and raising a child. How socially, morally or psychologically significant is a genetic link between a donor-conceived child and their donor? What should children born through assisted reproduction be told about their origins? Does it matter if a parent is genetically unrelated to their child? How do experiences differ for men and women using collaborative reproduction in heterosexual or same-sex couples, single parent families or co-parenting arrangements? What impact does the wider cultural, socio-legal and regulatory context have? In this multidisciplinary book, an international team of academics and clinicians bring together new empirical research and social science, legal and bioethical perspectives to explore the key issue of relatedness in assisted reproduction.