Book Review: Donor Conception for Life - Psychoanalytic Reflections on New Ways of Conceiving the Family

Donor
conception (DC) continues to reshape our understanding of what constitutes 'family'.
When others, namely donors, are involved in the reproductive experiences of
some families, the biological basis upon which traditional views of conception
and birth are framed is challenged.

This
book focuses on DC and, drawing upon professional and personal perspectives, renders
visible some of the hidden issues that prevail when DC is used to build a
family. In doing so, it demands that the reader consider alternative ways to
view 'family' when 'family' is not created in the way that society has
traditionally understood. The reader is invited to consider different family
formations such as single mothers and same-sex parents for whom DC is necessary
for them to achieve parenthood.

This
edited collection provides a new layer of understanding about the
psychological, psycho-social, socio-cultural, biological and genetic aspects associated
with family formation through DC. It reveals some of the complexities and
tensions inherent in the decision-making processes of those considering DC and the
concept of 'family' is considered within the context of DC. A key theme that runs throughout is that of
biological and genetic connectedness with emphasis being given to openness;
informing those conceived through donor conception about how they came to be.

The
book is divided into four parts: part one focuses on psychological issues
related to DC, part two on an exploration of some of the issues
facing individuals and couples using DC, part three considers the impact of donor-conceived
children's knowledge of their conception, while part four draws together the
key ideas that have emerged in the book.

Highlights
include the interesting reflections on the role of psychoanalysis in the
context of DC. For example, psychoanalysis is a key focus in chapter three
where Susan Vaughan discusses how DC represents new reproductive choices for
lesbian couples wishing to become parents. Some emphasis is given to issues
such as whether to use a known or anonymous sperm donor, whose eggs will be
used (given the viability of both women's eggs) and who will carry the
resultant pregnancy.

Further,
drawing upon her role as a psychoanalyst and psychotherapist, she discusses the
psychological implications associated with reproductive decision-making. This
illustrates some of the tensions that may prevail when a lesbian woman decides
that she wishes to become a parent. Vaughan clearly delineates some of the
additional considerations required when working with lesbian couples on their
journey towards parenthood.

By
contrast, the focus of chapter five is men's experiences of infertility. Here,
Amy Schofield reports upon interviews with men, as they sought to circumvent
male factor infertility. Schofield purports that for some men there is a shift
in the way they conceptualise 'fatherhood'. Significantly, this chapter brings
to the fore the often reticent voices of men within the discourse of
infertility, the use of assisted reproductive technologies and donor
conception.

Meanwhile,
in chapter six, Diane Ehrensaft provides an analysis of identity, attachment
and individuation in families created using assisted conception. In her
account, Ehrensaft utilises the term 'birth other' to identify the person
donating gametes or offering the use of their womb. The ensuing discussions are
of interest as they illustrate further the myriad emotions felt by families who
circumvented their infertility through the use of DC.

In
a similar vein, Ken Daniels discusses DC families and how
relationships within them can be managed and understood. Comparable to other
contributions, Daniels considers the secrecy within which DC was once framed
and the more recent shift towards openness in DC families.

Referring
to his research in the area he describes some of the key considerations for
families created through DC emphasising the importance of talking about family
creation. He also considers different relationships, and the management of
these, following DC and the fact that openness may lead to resultant offspring
seeking to meet with the person who donated the gametes that helped to create
them.

I
believe this book provides a further layer of understanding about donor conception
and family formation. Significantly, it may enable the reader to consider some
of the wider implications and how they might apply to their own practice.

Moreover,
I think this book would be of interest to anyone who has a special interest in
psychoanalysis in the area of reproductive donation. This might include
counsellors, researchers, healthcare professionals, lecturers, students, and
clinicians. It may also be useful for those considering DC due to the fact that
it includes some personal insights. I would recommend this book; this review
cannot do justice to the discerning perspectives covered. It is an insightful
and interesting read.

Buy The Story Within - Personal Essays on Genetics and Identity from Amazon UK.