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the problematics of motherhood in twentieth century women's fiction

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148 1<br />

LA'<br />

structure and <strong>the</strong> valorization <strong>of</strong> biological parenthood,<br />

especially for men. Even <strong>the</strong> gloss <strong>of</strong> love and altruism may<br />

be part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> barga<strong>in</strong> (Lorber 1989.32-331.<br />

4.2.3. Apart from IVF, AID and ET, research for<br />

ectogenesis or <strong>in</strong> vitro gestation (IVG) is belng carried<br />

out IVG refers to <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> an artificial womb If<br />

ectogenesis is to be accompl~shed, replacements must be<br />

found for <strong>the</strong> serles <strong>of</strong> biochemical processes performed by<br />

<strong>women's</strong> bodies <strong>in</strong> pregnancy: egg maturation, fertllizatlon,<br />

lmplantatlan and embryo ma<strong>in</strong>tenance, temperature control,<br />

waste removal and transport <strong>of</strong> blood, nourishment, oxygen to<br />

<strong>the</strong> embryo (Murphy 1989 :681 .<br />

4.2.3.1. A question central to ectogenetlc research 1s<br />

Wlst women reproduce'<br />

Or should <strong>the</strong>y be liberated from <strong>the</strong><br />

responsibility <strong>of</strong> child-bear<strong>in</strong>g? Desp~te liberation <strong>in</strong><br />

o<strong>the</strong>r areas, does <strong>the</strong> burden <strong>of</strong> chlld-bearlng shackle women<br />

to <strong>the</strong>ir anatomy7 Do foetuses belong <strong>in</strong> <strong>women's</strong> bodies7<br />

,<br />

4.2.3.2. Exlst~ng reproductive technologies, for example.<br />

embryo transfer, rndicate <strong>the</strong> possibility <strong>of</strong> creatlng an<br />

arcificlal womb.<br />

Embryo transfer makes it clear that a<br />

foetus need not be implanted <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> uterus <strong>of</strong> its genetic<br />

mo<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong> order to thrive. Also, research techniques for<br />

sustarn<strong>in</strong>g pregnancies <strong>in</strong> bra<strong>in</strong>-dead women have resulted <strong>in</strong><br />

a few live births show<strong>in</strong>g that foetuses can survlve <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>

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