Interdisciplinary Study on Reproductive Technology and Childrearing in Modern Asia

Keywords

　Reproductive Technology,Gender,Reproduction

Objectives

As we reach an era in which technology can be used to create life on a global scale, local cultures will unavoidably be transformed by technology. However, just as technologies can limitlessly amplify our ambitions, local cultures can also restrict technologies and selectively choose among them. In that light, how is Asia today dealing with these technologies of life? The present research examines how new technologies connected to reproduction such as reproductive technologies and prenatal testing are understood and being used in Asia today. It also considers the sorts of environments in which children are being born and in which these technologies exist. It lays out the kinds of frameworks within which children are reared in those cases when technology is not being used.
Specifically, focusing on 14 Asian countries, this research analyzes the conditions and attitudes regarding infertility treatment, in vitro fertilization, third party reproduction, prenatal genetic testing such as NIPT, and induced abortion and examines regional similarities and differences.
This research should make possible a multi-faceted discovery of the causes and mechanisms behind how approaches toward dealing with local population increases/decreases, infertility, and unexpected pregnancies change in connection with technology and globalization.

Research Results

The research project team consisted of a total of 13 members, including two National Museum of Japanese History researchers. It was an interdisciplinary team comprising researchers from fields such as cultural anthropology, sociology, and area studies. The project focused mainly on East Asia (including Japan), Southeast Asia, and South Asia. However, lecturers who research regions such as the Middle East, Micronesia, and Africa were also invited, providing many opportunities to relativize Asia. In addition, holding joint workshops with another inter-university research project (a menstruation study) provided opportunities for exchange and discussion.
The researchers’ meticulous research revealed how reproduction in Asia—which includes menstruation, infertility treatment, reproduction technology involving third parties such as sperm and egg donation, prenatal testing, induced abortion, women’s physical experiences and body images, disabilities, adoption, foster care, childbirth, recuperation, and breastfeeding—intersects with technology and gender in the present day.
Society builds various systems in an attempt to control gender and reproduction, and organizes daily life like mesh. The research project team examined how systems built by societies that are related to reproduction have mechanisms for inclusion and exclusion based on said society’s justifications, under themes such as the institution of marriage and the exclusion of the birth or childrearing of specific children (e.g., disabilities, extramarital). Examples of mechanisms for inclusion include the mobility of women (e.g., marriage) and children (e.g., adoption and foster care) and examples of mechanisms for exclusion include the categories of prenatal testing, induced abortion, and disabilities. As mentioned above, these intersect with technology in contemporary society.
Since the project was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was more chaotic and busy than normal, but it yielded many achievements thanks to measures such as holding workshops online.