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Updated: May 13, 2026
06:40
Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
Published on: October 24, 2025
Queering the fertility clinic
1Health Equity Institute, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, USA. lmamo@sfsu.edu
The Journal of Medical Humanities
|March 7, 2013
Summary
Queer individuals are increasingly using fertility biomedicine, transforming the industry. This expansion raises significant ethical questions about accountability within assisted reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Bioethics
- Media Studies
Background:
- Contemporary queer identities are engaging with fertility biomedicine.
- Societal shifts have led to increased inclusion of diverse gendered and queer bodies in reproductive technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the integration of queer individuals into fertility biomedicine.
- To explore the transformation of the fertility industry by queer patients.
- To examine the biosocial and bioethical implications of these engagements.
Main Methods:
- Drawing on social science research.
- Analyzing media culture.
- Utilizing empirical research on queer engagements with fertility services.
Main Results:
- Queer activism via web 2.0 and a free market in assisted reproduction has positioned queer identities as "parents-in-waiting."
- The fertility industry is adapting to incorporate diverse gendered and queer bodies.
- Expanded queer engagement presents new ethical considerations.
Conclusions:
- The increased involvement of queer individuals in fertility biomedicine necessitates a re-evaluation of ethical accountability.
- The intersection of patient activism and market dynamics shapes the landscape of assisted reproduction.
- Understanding these evolving dynamics is crucial for bioethical frameworks.
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