Embodied Subjects and Fragmented Objects: Women’s Bodies, Assisted Reproduction Technologies and the Right to Self-Determination

Gupta, Jyotsna; Richters, Annemiek

doi:10.1007/s11673-008-9112-7

Cited by 56 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…For the purpose of this research, we define the virtual worlds as the user-created life spheres formed through computer systems where a simulation of an alternative "reality" is experienced by its users. Today, through these virtual worlds, we are speaking of human bodies and lives unbounded not only physically but also mentally and fictionally, having the freedom to choose from endless options to create a new identity, a new life and a new body form (Gupta and Richters, 2008). Venkatesh et al (1998) argue that the virtual world is an "as if" environment just like a simulator, which provides us with the opportunity to have a real-life experience without bearing the cost of our mistakes.…”

Section: A Conceptual Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Search for Meaning in Every Day Life: Can the Virtual Dominate Over Real

Atik¹,

Yurdakul²

2017

BYK.m.21478082

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Thanks to the rapidly developing internet technologies, people of the contemporary society have the freedom to experience many different forms of life at the same time. Millions of people around the world have become part of the virtual worlds such as Second Life and World of Warcraft which provide people with the power to be their own creators. These virtual worlds not only provide the individuals with the freedom to create themselves and their lives, but also with the opportunity to have alternative lives which can be considered as an escape from the mundane. Considering the continuously increasing number of people who become "residents" of these worlds and the impact of these virtual lives on their real life experiences, this study, supported with secondary data from consumer blogs in these alternative worlds, aims to discuss the interplay between the real and the virtual. Taking the issue from a relatively understudied perspective, this paper, conceptually and rather philosophically, investigates the deeper motivations of escapism and the search for meaning in life. To shed light to these inquiries, a research was conducted in consumer blogs and forums of two virtual worlds selected according to the number of subscribers: Second Life and World of Warcraft. The data was collected from two blogs and two discussion forums in which users of these virtual worlds discuss their experiences about various topics, including conversations on what these virtual worlds mean to them and how they affect their real lives. The findings reveal that even though these virtual worlds may provide its users with a feeling of having an alternative everyday life and temporarily satisfy the escapist motivations, escaping the heavily structured everyday life may not be achieved as the real everyday life 4 İstanbul Kemerburgaz Üniversitesi, Yrd. Doç.Dr., dicle.yurdakul@kemerburgaz.edu.tr. 5İzmir Ekonomi Üniversitesi, Doç. Dr., deniz.atik@ieu.edu.tr. 54 spreads to the virtual world with its institutions, including the marketing institution. For some users, the virtual worlds can be a temporary separation from dominant structures, while for others; they can be an extension of the real life as long as it continues to deliver a positive subjectivity. From a postmodern perspective, the findings also reveal that consumers do not have to choose but experience all, without necessarily rejecting or committing to one choice. Keywords ÖZETHızla gelişen internet teknolojileri sayesinde günümüz toplumunun insanları aynı anda birçok farklı yaşam biçimini yaşama özgürlüğüne sahiptir. Dünyanın dört bir yanında milyonlarca kişi, Second Life ve World of Warcraft gibi, insanlara kendi yaratıcıları olma imkânı tanıyan sanal dünyaların bir parçası haline gelmiştir. Bu sanal dünyalar, bireylere kendilerini ve hayatlarını yaratma özgürlüğünü sağlamakla kalmamakta, aynı zamanda insanlara gündelik olandan kaçış olarak düşünülebilecek alternatif bir hayat sahibi olma fırsatı da sunmaktadır. Bu dünyaların "sakini" olan insanların sayısındaki artış ve bu...

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Section: A Conceptual Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Search for Meaning in Every Day Life: Can the Virtual Dominate Over Real

Atik¹,

Yurdakul²

2017

BYK.m.21478082

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“…As a parent, she has the right to decide for her own body and the child, but as a part of the treatment, she loses these rights (Gupta and Richters 2008). However, regardless of how a surrogate is viewed, a high number of embryos per transfer and subsequent fetal reduction is unethical and needs regulation (Dickens and Cook 2008).…”

Section: Decision-making On Fetal Reductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Ethics in Commercial Surrogacy: Decision-Making in IVF Clinics in New Delhi, India

et al. 2015

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As a neo-liberal economy, India has become one of the new health tourism destinations, with commercial gestational surrogacy as an expanding market. Yet the Indian Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Bill has been pending for five years, and the guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research are somewhat vague and contradictory, resulting in self-regulated practices of fertility clinics. This paper broadly looks at clinical ethics in reproduction in the practice of surrogacy and decision-making in various procedures. Through empirical research in New Delhi, the capital of India, from December 2011 to November 2012, issues of decision-making on embryo transfer, fetal reduction, and mode of delivery were identified. Interviews were carried out with doctors in eighteen ART clinics, agents from four agencies, and fourteen surrogates. In aiming to fulfil the commissioning parents' demands, doctors were willing to go to the greatest extent possible in their medical practice. Autonomy and decision-making regarding choice of the number of embryos to transfer and the mode of delivery lay neither with commissioning parents nor surrogate mothers but mostly with doctors. In order to ensure higher success rates, surrogates faced the risk of multiple pregnancy and fetal reduction with little information regarding the risks involved. In the globalized market of commercial surrogacy in India, and with clinics compromising on ethics, there is an urgent need for formulation of regulative law for the clinical practice and maintenance of principles of reproductive ethics in order to ensure that the interests of surrogate mothers are safeguarded.

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“…Ceux-ci demeurent inégaux alors que le rôle des femmes dans la reproduction décroît. Et le discours selon lequel les femmes y gagnent progresse parce qu'on assimile les caractéristiques féminines en matière de reproduction à l'aliénation et parce qu'on argumente que des femmes tirent des bénéfices, et même peuvent sembler trouver une autonomisation (empowerment), du morcellement et du commerce de leur potentiel reproducteur (vente d'ovocytes, gestation marchande), notamment dans des milieux où elles n'ont pas de pouvoir (Gupta et Richters 2008).…”

Section: Les Valeurs Sous-jacentes Aux Développements Techniquesunclassified

Les techniques de reproduction et l’éviction du corps féminin

Koninck¹

2015

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La reproduction humaine est au coeur des rapports sociaux de sexe. Des luttes féministes ont permis aux femmes d’acquérir une plus grande autonomie reproductive certes, mais cela est devenu possible grâce à un recours à la technique. Or, la récente évolution des techniques dans le domaine de la reproduction se caractérise par la croissance d’un pouvoir externe et par une atteinte au caractère global de l’expérience des femmes. Cette évolution s’appuie sur une dévalorisation du potentiel reproducteur féminin et crée une illusion d’émancipation. L’article soulève des questions sur les valeurs qui la sous-tendent et son impact sur les rapports sociaux de sexe.Human reproduction is the core of gender relations and of gender inequities. Feminist struggles have given access to more reproductive autonomy but this has also meant a greater use of technology. The recent evolution of technologies implies more external power and a decline of women’s contribution to human reproduction as a global experience. Reproductive technologies devaluate women’s reproductive capacities and create an illusion of emancipation. The article raises questions on the values underlying this evolution and on its impact on gender relations.La reproducción humana está en el centro de las relaciones de género. Ciertas luchas feministas han permitido a las mujeres ganar mayor autonomía reproductiva; sin embargo, esto se ha vuelto posible gracias al uso de la técnica. Los avances técnicos recientes en el campo de la reproducción se caracterizan por el crecimiento de un poder externo y una violación de la naturaleza global de la experiencia de las mujeres. Este desarrollo se basa en una devaluación del potencial reproductivo de las mujeres y crea una ilusión de la emancipación. El artículo plantea preguntas acerca de los valores que sustentan y su impacto en las relaciones de género

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Embodied Subjects and Fragmented Objects: Women’s Bodies, Assisted Reproduction Technologies and the Right to Self-Determination

Cited by 56 publications

References 13 publications

In Search for Meaning in Every Day Life: Can the Virtual Dominate Over Real

In Search for Meaning in Every Day Life: Can the Virtual Dominate Over Real

Reproductive Ethics in Commercial Surrogacy: Decision-Making in IVF Clinics in New Delhi, India

Les techniques de reproduction et l’éviction du corps féminin

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