Interembodiment beyond kin: Leveraging partibility within microbial FemTech

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Microbiome Research
• Sociology of Science and Technology

Background:

• Reproductive health is increasingly viewed through the lens of the microbiome.
• Maternal microbes influence infant immune development, establishing an intergenerational biocultural inheritance.
• This inheritance faces microbiopolitical pressures, termed a "chimeric imperative."

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze how companies exploit the dynamic potential of microbes to address gendered health disparities.
• To explore the concept of interembodiment in the context of the gendered microbiome.
• To reconceptualize biopolitical demands on the reproductive body and biosocial connections.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of four companies' projects leveraging microbial potential.
• Application of Strathern's theories on body porosity and partible embodiment.
• Interdisciplinary approach integrating biology, sociology, and technology studies.

Main Results:

• Companies are utilizing the "partible" nature of microbes to address health gaps.
• Relational embodiment concepts are reshaping biopolitical strategies in reproductive health.
• Microbial transfers enable new forms of shared embodiment beyond traditional biological ties.

Conclusions:

• The "partible" nature of microbes highlights ongoing intergenerational transfers with significant potential.
• Venture-tech companies face technical and ethical challenges in harnessing microbial potential.
• This research reframes biosocial connections and shared embodiments, extending possibilities beyond the individual body.