Abstract

SALOME LIMA, Natacha. Good wood: meanings associated with reproductive genetics. Inter disciplina [online]. 2022, vol.10, n.28, pp.51-81.  Epub Dec 05, 2022. ISSN 2448-5705.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ceiich.24485705e.2022.28.83289.

The number of assisted reproduction treatments with donated gametes (eggs and/ or sperm) has progressively increased. As of the sanction of the Civil and Commercial Code (2015), reproductive technologies became a new source of filiation with its own characteristics, such as the obligation to register the birth of the child born from donated gametes. Heterosexual couples tend to omit this information more often. This omission can respond to different reasons, fears and insecurities. The psychological recommendations aim to accompany the gamete recipients to contribute to the elaboration of mourning for the loss of the genetic contribution. This paper explores the conditions and meanings linked to genetic grief by analyzing the meanings associated with reproductive genetics in a subgroup of cis heterosexual women who, according to reproductive medicine criteria, have advanced maternal age (over 40 years of age). Since 2004, women seeking a pregnancy after the age of 40 constitute a subgroup that registers an increase in cases, making age the first cause for resorting to donated eggs in Argentina (Mackey et al. 2020; Zegers et al. 2021). The results are consistent with other investigations and show that the way of signifying the genetic origin depends on the family structure, the (non)reproductive trajectories and the passage of time, where the genetic component tends to be relativized in pursuit of upbringing and the shared bond in gestation, breastfeeding and childbirth. Two specific instances appeared where the donated gamete acquires a “threatening” condition, one is due to a possible future illness in the newborn and the other is due to the obligation to register the birth.

Keywords : reproductive technologies; genetic inheritance; grief; parentage; Argentina.

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