Reproductive Tourism in the United States - Creating Family in the Mother Country (Hardcover)

Lax federal oversight, high technology resources, privatized health care, a pluralist population, and a commitment to professional autonomy make the United States an ideal host for reproductive tourists. Those who are in possession of enough material resources and political savvy can subvert their countries' norms and laws regarding reproductive technologies, in effect becoming procreative outlaws. This book examines the United States as a destination for international consumers of assisted fertility services, including egg donation, surrogacy, and sex selection. It is based on interviews conducted with fertility industry insiders who market their services to an international clientele in three of the largest American hubs of the global fertility marketplace - New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. By focusing on the providers rather than the consumers of assisted fertility services, the book shines a light on how professional ethics and norms, in addition to personal moralities, shape the practice of reproductive tourism.