Embryo Adoption and the Intersection of Religion, Politics, and Reproductive Justice

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What happens when religion, politics, and reproductive rights collide? Join us in this thought-provoking episode of Undisciplinary, featuring Risa Cromer, an Associate Professor in Anthropology at Purdue University. Risa takes us on her unique journey from a secular upbringing to studying the powerful intersections of religious politics and reproductive rights. Together, we explore the complex landscape of reproductive justice, revealing how reproductive capacities become battlegrounds for power and control.

Ever wondered what sets embryo adoption apart from sperm or embryo donation? We break down its origins, deeply rooted in American evangelism, and the political forces driving its popularity. Risa illuminates the technicalities of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the specific, often costly requirements for embryo adoption, including the crucial but under-discussed home study process. Through this lens, we also examine the commercialization and ethical issues tied to embryo adoption, highlighting the tension between its idealistic mission and the reality of "embryo shopping."

Finally, we unravel the complex ties between embryo adoption, anti-abortion politics, and Christian nationalism. By connecting the dots between the promotion of a "culture of life" and broader authoritarian agendas, we reflect on the implications in a post-Roe v Wade landscape marked by varying state-level abortion restrictions. This episode offers a deep dive into how these reproductive politics resonate with themes of racial justice, gender, and the right to know one's biological heritage, inviting listeners to critically engage with these pressing issues.

Undisciplinary - a podcast that talks across the boundaries of history, ethics, and the politics of health.
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