This article investigates the practices of ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) through a sociological approach, with an eye to the political and legal issues relating to the process of the medicalization of human reproduction. It focuses on the most recent challenges in this field: “cross-border reproductive care” and “social egg freezing”. These two issues are analysed by looking at both the European and the Italian context, highlighting differences, contradictions and inequalities with regard to legal frameworks, social policies and people’s access to ARTs. The study will thus consider: a) some theoretical approaches on the relationship between technology and human reproduction; b) the reproduction of gender and social inequalities through the reproductive technology market; c) the exploitation of the reproductive body of poorer women; d) the increased tendency to solve social problems using medical tools and approaches.
12. New Challenges for Human Reproduction: “Cross-Border Reproductive Care” and “Social Egg Freezing”
