Cultural Conceptions: On Reproductive Technologies And The Remaking Of Life Project Muse Upcc Books

What happens to prevailing beliefs about the uniqueness of individual life when life can be cloned? Or to traditional understandings of family relationships when a child can have up to five parents? These are some of the questions addressed by Valerie Hartouni in her consideration of the cultural effects of new reproductive technologies as reflected in video images, popular journalism, scientific debates, legal briefs, and policy decisions. In Cultural Conceptions, Hartouni tracks the circulation and communication of various myths, images, and stories pertaining to new reproductive technologies and their effects, both imagined and real, during the past two decades. While addressing topics ranging from surrogacy and cloning to adoption, ultrasound imaging, and abortion, Hartouni looks to American popular culture for clues to what these new-and not so new-reproductive practices tell us about issues of personhood. Hartouni investigates the emergence of new anxieties about the nature of selfhood as well as the recurrence of age-old myths regarding individuality, sexuality, property, and family. She argues that both are being played out in cultural contests over the meaning and organization of women's reproductive capacity. In her discussion of provocative issues such as the Bell Curve controversy and the Baby M. case, Hartouni traces the dialectic of crisis and containment unleashed by reproductive technologies. Ultimately, however, Cultural Conceptions argues that the anxieties that surround new reproductive technologies provide openings for alternative understandings and practices of life to emerge and challenge those currently in place. A thoughtful, daring, and original look at this complex set of issues, Cultural Conceptions provides an much-needed guide to our nation's psyche as we approach the new millennium. Valerie Hartouni is associate professor in the Department of Communication and director of the women's studies program at the University of California, San Diego. Examines the meaning of "life" in an era of emerging biotechnology.What happens to prevailing beliefs about the uniqueness of individual life when life can be cloned? Or to traditional understandings of family relationships when a child can have up to five parents? These are some of the questions addressed by Valerie Hartouni in her consideration of the cultural effects of new reproductive technologies as reflected in video images, popular journalism, scientific debates, legal briefs, and policy decisions.In Cultural Conceptions, Hartouni tracks the circulation and communication of various myths, images, and stories pertaining to new reproductive technologies and their effects, both imagined and real, during the past two decades. While addressing topics ranging from surrogacy and cloning to adoption, ultrasound imaging, and abortion, Hartouni looks to American popular culture for clues to what these new -- and not so new -- reproductive practices tell us about issues of personhood.Hartouni investigates the emergence of new anxieties about the nature of selfhood as well as the recurrence of age-old myths regarding individuality, sexuality, property, and family. She argues that both are being played out in cultural contests over the meaning and organization of women's reproductive capacity. In her discussion of provocative issues such as The Bell Curve controversy and the Baby M. case, Hartouni traces the dialectic of crisis and containment unleashed by reproductive technologies. Ultimately, however, Cultural Conceptions argues that the anxieties that surround new reproductive technologies provide openings for alternative understandings and practices of life to emerge andchallenge those currently in place.A thoughtful, daring, and original look at this complex set of issues, Cultural Conceptions provides an much-needed guide to our nation's psyche as we approach the new millennium. Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1 Impaired Sight or Partial Vision? Tracking Reproductive Bodies......Page 22 2 Containing Women: Reproductive Discourse(s) in the 1980s......Page 37 3 Fetal Exposures: Abortion Politics and the Optics of Allusion......Page 62 4 Reproducing Public Meanings: In the Matter of Baby M......Page 79 5 Breached Birth: Anna Johnson and the Reproduction of Raced Bodies......Page 96 6 "On Breeding Good Stock": Reflections on Herrnstein and Murray's Bell Curve......Page 110 7 Replicating the Singular Self: Some Thoughts on Cloning and Cultural Identity......Page 121 Notes......Page 144 Bibliography......Page 168 C......Page 182 I......Page 183 P......Page 184 V......Page 185 Z......Page 186 1. Impaired Sight Or Partial Vision? Tracking Reproductive Bodies -- 2. Containing Women: Reproductive Discourse(s) In The 1980s -- 3. Fetal Exposures: Abortion Politics And The Optics Of Allusion -- 4. Reproducing Public Meanings: In The Matter Of Baby M -- 5. Breached Birth: Anna Johnson And The Reproduction Of Raced Bodies -- 6. On Breeding Good Stock: Reflections On Herrnstein And Murray's Bell Curve -- 7. Replicating The Singular Self: Some Thoughts On Cloning And Cultural Identity. Valerie Hartouni. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 157-170) And Index. Valerie Hartouni considers the cultural effects of new reproductive technologies as reflected in video images, popular journalism, scientific debates, legal briefs, and policy decisions. She tracks the circulation and communication of various myths, images, and stories pertaining to these new technologies and their effects, both imagined and real during the past two decades. A thoughtful examination considering the cultural effects of new reproductive technologies as reflected in video images, popular journalism, scientific debates, legal briefs, and policy decisions