Plutonormativity: Illuminating Inequities in Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

Researchers and research subjects are reporting that the results of genetic testing, including testing conducted using sequencing technology, could inform reproductive decisions. Thus far unacknowledged are the out-of-pocket expenses often associated with genomics-enabled reproductive planning. These expenses will render this benefit of medical technology inaccessible to many people. No word currently exists for the mistaken assumption that the typical person has significant financial resources or the construction of policies and practices with that assumption baked in. In this essay, I propose the term "plutonormativity" to illuminate these often unacknowledged inequities. I then show how plutonormative thinking is operating in one particular context: access to reproductive planning within current discussions of the benefits of the genetic testing.