This paper discusses some of the findings from an ESRC funded study designed to explore ‘public perceptions’ of gamete donation in British South Asian communities. Research addressing the field of new reproductive technologies generally has repeatedly failed to explore the potential implications for women and men from minority ethnic communities in the UK. In addition, research which relates to the practice of gamete donation has been limited and has tended to focus on the experiences of and consequences for white, middle class individuals and couples. The study on which this paper is based explores how the conceptual frameworks and knowledges around new reproductive technologies and gamete donation in particular may be influenced by ethnic, religious and cultural contexts and how such discourses may impact on the willingness or otherwise of individuals to donate or accept donated gametes. Data is derived from focus group discussions with women and men from four British South Asian ethnic/religious communities (n=100) and interviews with health professionals and key informants (n=20). Initial findings from the study suggest that women’s perceptions of gamete donation are influenced by constructions of the ‘connectivity’ between women and egg/fetus/child. Using donated eggs is more ‘acceptable’ since the genetic link with the father is maintained, whilst the mother maintains a ‘biological’, nurturing link to the child through pregnancy and birth. However, donating eggs is regarded as subject to a number of emotional and social risks, especially in the context of the ending of donor anonymity in the UK. |