Birthing Bias and The Value of Perfection.

Have you ever thought about how much a life is worth? It might sound like a bit of a morbid question, but the answer to this question has far-reaching implications for our society. As interest in populationism has grown, that is the ideology that attributes social and ecological ills to human numbers. This ideology leverages left- and right-wing political strategies as well as the environment (Bahatia et. al., 2020). Biopopulationism is a subset of populationism which I believe is a huge proponent of how technology assists in reproducing ideas of race. 

One definition of biopopulationism that I found particularly interesting highlighted the role of technology and scientific advancements being sold as consumer products (Bahatia et. al., 2020). This ranges from reproductive surgeries like vasectomies to women's oral contraceptives like birth control. It alters how people engage with their reproduction, placing a very important emphasis on individuals’ desires, wants for family composition, and ‘quality children’.

Camisha Russell elaborates on the many ways that Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) can be used to majorly reinforce harmful stereotypes around race, class and kinship. Considering biopopulationism speaks in many ways to the selective reproduction that is made possible by technological advancements, it’s easy to identify the harms that have historically arisen when humans are given justification to artificially construct and organize categories of humanity. These discriminant initiatives arise from individual desires for things like good health, citizen rights, individual choice, and small families, which are things commonly attributed to certain ethnic groups rather than others. 

Another justification for aspirations of the ‘quality child’ is the association that certain hereditary risks are bound to specific ethnic groups, neighbourhoods, bodies, etc. For example, high blood pressure among black people. Certain lived experiences are also more common amongst different racial groups, which might inform the ‘preferences’ of assisted reproduction. Biomedical technology can adhere ‘whiteness’ and thus correction to these circumstances and this acts as justification for the many forms of discrimination that often accompanies ARV practices. 

In The Assisted Reproduction of Race,’ Camisha Russel presents the notion that race ideas and racial science are consciously and unconsciously used to carry out political and personal projects such as reproduction. This is assisted by ARTs. If ARTs are meant to mimic nature in the way that we create families, kinship, etc., this technology is able to achieve this because they involve ‘assistance’ in the intentionally natural act of reproduction. ARTs serve as sites where individuals can see the construction of race as both ‘natural’, and precise through social and technological intervention.

What I found even more interesting is when I started thinking about this was how frequently portrayed ART’s are to us in modern media. Oftentimes they reinforce harmful stereotypes around race but I’ve found it more commonly illustrating how the criteria of the ‘quality child’ is selected. I recently started watching the show 'Working Moms’ on Netflix which follows the unexpected friendships of 5 women who meet in a ‘mommy-and-me’ club. One of the couples in the show identifies as lesbian and in the later seasons we are shown their search for an ideal sperm holder for them to have a baby with. They have specific ideas surrounding race, physical attributes, educational status etc. The manner in which they seek a donor with specific qualities is about demopopulationist ideas of being highly classist, neocolonialist, and racialized. 

Biopoulationsim also talks about the manipulation of ‘self-determinism,’ which is an inherent pillar of neoliberalism. Feminist initiatives capitalize on notions of female empowerment and aim to exploit the self-governing FEMALE neoliberal subject. It’s like they’re saying, “Have a baby if you want to because you have free choice!” but only if you’re self-made, rich, and successful because that’s the only time a woman should have a child; otherwise, you’re not a feminist. This positions reproduction as a social responsibility. A ‘responsible woman’ should have a child only when they meet certain criteria.

So, what can we learn from all of this? As a society, we need to ask ourselves some important questions. Should we be using ARTs to reinforce harmful stereotypes around race? Should we be using technology to select certain traits or characteristics in our children? How much value do we place on individual choice versus the well-being of society as a whole?

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of scientific advancements and the promise of a ‘better’ future. We need to highlight and carefully consider the social and ethical implications of emerging technologies, and the importance of challenging the ideologies that underpin them. As we move forward, we must continue to have open and honest discussions about these issues and work towards creating a more just and equitable society.