Problems of Conception

Marit Melhuus is Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Oslo. She has previously worked in Argentina and Mexico, focusing on issues of development, economic anthropology, gender and morality.

“This is a very interesting and well written book. The first chapter is one of the best written ‘opening speeches’ I have read in a very, very long time. It is an important contribution to the comparative study of kinship/biotechnology/law.”  ·  Annika Rabo, University of Stockholm

• Preface and acknowledgementsChapter 1. Framing the issuesIntroductionKinship – a new beginning?Some other issuesLaw/imaginationThe involuntary childlessSome reflections on the precautionary principle and a bit moreThe state of Norway and the notion of equalityChapter 2. Children of one’s ownA first encounterHaving an own childAn issue of samenessAn own child – a first approximationTo try everything; to tell or not to tellWhat makes a child your own?Drawing togetherChapter 3. Better safe than sorryUncomfortable relationsLegislative process: acts and revisionsArtificial insemination by donor – pro et contraBringing the past to the presentThe making of a lawThe first revision – 1994Second and third revisions: 2003 and 2007In sumChapter 4. The inviolability of motherhoodEstablishing parenthoodOf eggs and sperMater semper certa estDisruptive effectsPater vero?  Turning the tablesBy way of conclusionChapter 5. The sorting society: knowledge, selection, ethicsReproductive choiceThe sorting societyA parliamentary incidentLooking back: a few comments on eugenicsThe law and the ChurchEthical dilemmas/ethical publicitySome final remarksChapter 6. Concluding reflections – and a PostscriptGlobal reach – local appropriationFacts and valuesControversies – contested sitesPost script – legal (un)certaintiesChapter 7. Some notes on  methodologyReferencesPublic documents cited or consulted