Putting the ethical tools of philosophy to work, Ellen K. Feder seeks to clarify how we should understand "the problem" of intersex. Adults often report that medical interventions they underwent as children to "correct" atypical sex anatomies caused them physical and psychological harm. Proposing a philosophical framework for the treatment of children with intersex conditions one that acknowledges the intertwined identities of parents, children, and their doctors Feder presents a persuasive moral argument for collective responsibility to these children and their families."

There are common midlife events that account for the special narcissistic vulnerabilities of this period of life, and Eda Goldstein ably reviews these events and the theoretical perspectives commonly brought to bear on them. In When the Bubble Bursts, however, Goldstein's special concern is those individuals who come to midlife with heightened narcissistic vulnerabilities that make the navigation of this stage of life more difficult still. In understanding the latter such patients and devising a treatment approach appropriate to their "self" issues, Goldstein adopts a broadly self-psychological frame of reference. It is a matter, she finds again and again, of understanding how current stressors frustrate healthy self needs and trigger narcissistic vulnerabilities. Self-psychologically informed treatment, which, in Goldstein's pragmatic purview, embraces modalities that are, to varying degrees, supportive, psychodynamic, and psychoanalytic, reworks and strengthens self structures in helping patients find new ways of affirming their sense of self. Her substantive case studies, which accompany the reader through all the chapters in her study, draw on personal and supervisory experiences to illustrate crucial foci of the treatment process with a range of midlife patients in psychotherapy. Eda Goldstein presents a study that comprises an admirable blend of theoretical astuteness, clinical wisdom, and personal honesty. Her clinical study of midlife narcissistic pathology is bracketed by her balanced discussion of theoretical perspectives on adult development and her concluding consideration of the countertransference issues elicited by midlife patients in midlife therapists. When the Bubble Bursts is an edifying contribution to the literatures of psychodynamic psychotherapy, self psychology, and adult development.

Each patient seeking assisted reproduction has a unique set of circumstances that affects the outcome of treatment. Particularly challenging are those patients with pre-existing medical conditions or those receiving medical therapies that may impact the safety and success of their IVF treatments. Prior identification and preparation of the patient at increased risk of complications will enable the clinician to avoid problems in advance, anticipate the necessary management, and optimize outcomes. A new expanded edition of the prize-winning text IVF in the Medically Complicated Patient: A Guide to Management, Second Edition provides a readily accessible, authoritative, and didactic source of information to aid clinicians in this important field.

A candid assessment of the pros and cons of delayed motherhood.
Biology does not bend to feminist ideals and science does not work miracles. That is the message of this eye-opening discussion of the consequences of delayed motherhood. Part personal account, part manifesto, Selvaratnam recounts her emotional journey through multiple miscarriages after the age of 37. Her doctor told her she still "had time," but Selvaratnam found little reliable and often conflicting information about a mature woman's biological ability (or inability) to conceive.
Beyond her personal story, the author speaks to women in similar situations around the country, as well as fertility doctors, adoption counselors, reproductive health professionals, celebrities, feminists, journalists, and sociologists. Through in-depth reporting and her own experience, Selvaratnam urges more widespread education and open discussion about delayed motherhood in the hope that long-lasting solutions can take effect. The result is a book full of valuable information that will enable women to make smarter choices about their reproductive futures and to strike a more realistic balance between science, society and personal goals.

This practical, extensively illustrated handbook covers the procedures that are undertaken in andrology and ART laboratories to analyse and assess male-factor infertility, and to prepare spermatozoa for use in assisted conception therapy. The content is presented as brief, authoritative overviews of the relevant biological background for each area, plus detailed, step-by-step descriptions of the relevant analytical procedures. Each technical section includes quality control considerations and the optimum presentation of results. In addition to the comprehensive 'basic' semen analysis, incorporating careful analysis of sperm morphology, the handbook provides established techniques for the use of computer-aided sperm analysis and sperm functional assessment. The interpretation of laboratory results in the clinical context is highlighted throughout, and safe laboratory practice is emphasized. Fully revised, incorporating the new ISO TS 23162 on basic human semen analysis throughout, this is an invaluable resource to all scientists and technicians who perform diagnostic testing for male-factor infertility.

"A remarkable collection of scholarly essays, philosophical discussions, and ethical arguments concerning reproductive choices."
--"Choice"

It seems as if every week there is a new case involving reproductive technologies that raises provocative, often painful questions: What policies should be followed by centers that preserve human embryos? Are such innovations as Norplant improvements over established methods of contraception? Should R.U. 486 be available in the U.S.? Is prenatal diagnosis an ethically acceptable step to limiting the number of disabled people?

These are just some of the vital questions explored in this timely work which offers incisive analysis of the plethora of issues raised by advances in reproductive medicine. The book's major section cover abortion, contraception, cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, surrogate motherhood, and psychosocial issues of in-vitro fertilization.

In each section, introductory essays by recognized authorities such as Elizabeth Bartholet and Andrea L. Bonnicksen are followed by critical articles by professionals in such fields as women's health, medicine, biology, sociology, politics, and philosophy. In assessing a technology, the authors present well-argued analyses of problems created by that technology, including views from advocates and practitioners that raise attendant ethical and practical issues.

The book considers signaling events from the zygote embryo through to the blastocyst with relevant data from embryonic stem (ES) cells, including dialogue with the extracellular environment and with the maternal tract during the implantation process. Application of the knowledge described to improve the success of human and animal assisted conception is considered where appropriate, but the focus is largely on fundamental rather than applied cell/molecular biology, as this is the area that has historically been neglected. While the general features of metabolism during preimplantation development are well established, especially in terms of nutrient requirements, uptake and fate, remarkably little is known about early embryo signaling events, intracellular or intercellular, between individual embryos in vitro or with the female reproductive tract in vivo. This contrasts with the wealth of information on cell signaling in somatic cells and tissues, as a glance at any textbook of biochemistry illustrates. This lack of information is such that our understanding of the molecular cell biology of early embryos -- a prerequisite to defining the mechanisms which regulate development at this critical stage of the life cycle -- is seriously incomplete. This volume is the first to address this issue by describing the current state of knowledge on cell signaling during mammalian early embryo development and highlighting priority areas for research.

Human Reproductive Genetics: Emerging Technologies and Clinical Applications presents a great reference for clinicians and researchers in reproductive medicine. Part I includes a brief background of genetics and epigenetics, probability of disease, and the different techniques that are being used today for analysis and genetic counseling. Part II focuses on the analysis of the embryo, current controversies and future concepts. Part III comprises different clinical scenarios that clinicians frequently face in practice. The increasing amount of genetic tests available and the growing information that patients handle makes this section a relevant part of the fertility treatment discussion. Finally, Part IV concludes with the psychological aspects of genetic counseling and the role of counselor and bioethics in human reproduction.

Spermatogenesis involves the coordination of a number of signaling pathways, which culminate into production of sperm. Its failure results in male factor infertility, which can be due to hormonal, environmental, genetic or other unknown factors. This book includes chapters on most of the signaling pathways known to contribute to spermatogenesis. Latest research in germ cell signaling like the role of small RNAs in spermatogenesis is also discussed. This book aims to serve as a reference for both clinicians and researchers, explaining possible causes of infertility and exploring various treatment methods for management through the basic understanding of the role of molecular signaling. Key Features Discusses the signaling pathways that contribute to successful spermatogenesis Covers comprehensive information about Spermatogenesis at one place Explores the vital aspects of male fertility and infertility Explains the epigenetic regulation of germ cell development and fertility Highlights the translational opportunities in molecular signaling in testis

Oncofertility is a specialty that bridges the disciplines of reproductive endocrinology and infertility and oncology, with the goal of expanding the reproductive options of cancer patients. Given fertility risks associated with specific cancer treatments, as well as the improved long-term survival made possible by these therapies, there has been growing interest in expanding reproductive options for cancer patients. Indeed, both cancer survivors and the medical community have acknowledged the importance of patient counseling and the pursuit of fertility preservation options prior to starting cancer treatment. Oncofertility Medical Practice: Clinical Issues and Implementation is the third in a series of timely and indispensable books on fertility preservation for cancer patients-the first one focused on advances in basic science research and the second one offered ethical, legal, and social perspectives on the theme. This book elucidates the latest practices and emerging treatments in oncofertility and provides necessary information on the successes, risks, and limitations of fertility preserving technologies. Authoritative and insightful, written by an impressive multi-disciplinary cadre of specialists, this book is a valuable up-to-date resource for all those practicing in this demanding field. "This excellent text is an invaluable resource and a "must read" for clinicians and researchers interested in Oncofertility. The editors and authors need to be congratulated for their fine work." Roger A. Lobo, MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University and Past President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine

With the rigor of a dedicated scholar and the passion of a committed activist, Nancy Lublin offers a fresh perspective on the ethical dimensions of providing and using reproductive technologies, including contraception, assisted conception, and antenatal and childbirth interventions. Combining feminist philosophy and legal theory, Lublin considers these issues under a single category that she calls 'technological intervention in the womb.' She addresses the positions of technophiles (who advocate acceptance of technological intervention in the womb as a source of liberation), technophobic feminists (who reject artificial invasions as anti-natural and anti-women), and other feminists who have argued that technological intervention in the womb should be legal and available to women because freedom of choice should be gender-neutral. Lublin identifies core principles that are common to a kaleidoscope of feminist theories, and she argues that a materialist feminism provides the most effective framework for establishing public policy and creating social change in the name of gender justice.

This book presents the contemporary history and dynamics of Mexican midwifery - professional, (post)modern or autonomous, traditional and Indigenous - as profoundly political and embedded in differing societal stratifications. By situated politics, the authors refer to various networks, spaces and territories, which are also constructed by the midwives. By politically situated, the authors refer to various intersections, unsettled relations and contexts in which Mexican midwives are positioned. Examining Mexican midwiferies in depth, the volume sharpens the focus on the worlds in which midwives are profoundly immersed as agents in generating and participating in movements, alliances, health professions, communities, homes, territories and knowledges. The chapters provide a complex panorama of midwives in Mexico with an array of insights into their professional and political autonomy, (post)coloniality, body-territoriality, the challenges of defining midwifery, and above all, into the ways in which contemporary Mexican midwiferies relate to a complex set of human rights. The book will be of interest to a range of scholars from anthropology, sociology, politics, global health, gender studies, development studies, and Latin American studies, as well as to midwives and other professionals involved in childbirth policy and practice.

This book brings together the most up-to-date information about the physiology of progestogens. Addressing the bidirectional communication between hormones, fertility, tumors, and autoimmunity, it provides the basic science and clinical perspectives of progestogens which have not been previously available in one volume. In addition to estrogens, androgens, mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, progestogens are a major class of steroid hormone. While present in certain phases of estrous and menstrual cycles, progestogens are named for their function in maintaining pregnancy. This book is essentially practical in orientation, addressing the specific issues that confront the practitioner, and provides information to Obstetricians, Gynecologists, Reproductive endocrinologists, as well as Gynecological Oncologists and Rheumatologists. Contributions are from an international team of experts in the field, now completely updated in this new edition with new developments in primary dysmenorrhea and contraception.

In this book, leading academics and practitioners in the field of reproductive health address topics such as contraception, abortion, sexually transmitted infections, maternal and prenatal health, sexuality and reproductive rights by examining a number of critical issues in these areas. The authors describe new research, identify gaps and priorities in policy and practice, and illustrate innovative solutions. The book further addresses such current imperatives as understanding the social meanings of emergency contraception, measuring gender-based violence, improving reproductive health governance, strengthening health systems and services, and redressing institutional barriers. The book also assesses how reproductive health programs can be reconfigured to new challenges such as those posed by climate change, vulnerable youth in fragile states, and risks from new infertility treatments. Using a rich and varied set of cases, a broad public health and social science perspective, and novel methodological approaches, this book questions common assumptions, illustrates effective solutions and sets out research, policy, and programmatic agendas for the present and future. This is a comprehensive volume which provides a valuable resource to researchers, educators, practitioners, policymakers and students, as well as anyone studying or advocating for reproductive health.

Thoroughly examining the popular and expanding field of reproductive toxicology, this newly revised and expanded Third Edition provides the latest, cutting-edge scientific developments in this constantly evolving discipline. Reproductive Toxicologya (TM)s contributors are experienced regulatory agency and Clinical Research Organization representatives who currently utilize the new techniques discussed in the text and continue to revolutionize reproductive toxicology research.

This ground-breaking resource includes:

• New and important critical mechanistic topics such as epigenetics and omics
• The first significant compilation of epigenetic mechanisms
• An in-depth analysis of the role of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomicsin human reproduction
• New guidelines with respect to the latest research applications in the field

Genetic Screening and Counseling is reviewed in this issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics, guest edited by Drs. Anthony R. Gregg and Joe Leigh Simpson. Authorities in the field have come together to pen articles on Contemporary Genetics Counseling: New Frontiers and Challenges, Newborn Screening, SMA Carrier Screening, Fragile X, Ashkenazi Jewish Screening in the 21st Century, Thrombophilia in Obstetric Practice, Microarrays in the Practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Genetic Screening, and Cystic Fibrosis.

The transnational industry surrounding assisted reproductive technology and regenerative medicine is based on the unacknowledged labour of gamete providers, surrogates and research subjects, and benefits from low labour costs in 'enabling' sectors such as logistics and transport. This finding calls for a comprehensive analysis of how the contemporary intersection of neoliberal capitalism and the life sciences - in short, the bioeconomy - capitalises on the body and its (re)productive capacities. The Reproductive Body at Work uptakes this challenge as it explores the relations between value production, labour and the body in one particular realm of the global bioeconomy: the South African bioeconomy of 'egg donation'. It highlights different forms and dimensions of unacknowledged or precarious human labour that are constitutive for the procurement, brokering and circulation of oocytes as valuable resources. The analysis illustrates that the respective organisation of value and labour renegotiate what 'the' (re)productive body can do, which status and roles it is ascribed, which cultural and economic values it signifies and how it is experienced and enacted within a matrix of intersectional power relations. A theoretically profound contribution to the interdisciplinary debate on 'New materialism', The Reproductive Body at Work will appeal to students and researchers interested in fields such as gender studies, medical anthropology, cultural studies, sociology, political economy and science and technology studies.

It is not okay to call something a miracle without even trying to understand it. This is human developmental biology (human embryology, in terms of cells and molecules) for everyone curious enough to see it through, from the perspective of the business of becoming human - as individuals and as species; making new humans; how it happens (cells do it, ALL of it); and common variations of the process.It cannot be made quite simple and be kept quite true, but we will move as far toward simple as we can without losing touch with sound evidence. Variations from the "normal" version of the process, particularly malformations and twinning and chimerism, figure prominently in the story because there is no better way to learn about the usual than to study the unusual and see what differences in the endings these observable differences at the beginnings can make.In this book, when technical terminology is the only way, or the best way, to say what needs to be said, it is defined and explained - making the words a worthwhile part of what is here to be learned.This book defines its own new field. We cannot claim to understand how anything [human] works [as human], with no effort at understanding the emergence of its form and functions. Old and new unanswered questions are waiting to be dug out from under old unquestioned answers about how becoming human unfolds. We will also address some popular and weighty, but deeply empty assertions about the circumstances and mechanisms of our beginnings and our ceaseless becoming. We will find fundamental questions from 'the humanities' unanswerable except from biology. Human developmental biology is a foundational discipline within the humanities.

If you're taking an undergraduate or postgraduate medical courses, or similar courses in other related disciplines, this is the book for you. Embryology is a concise and highly illustrated text, covering only the descriptions you really need to know. An appreciation of embryology is essential to understand topological relationships in gross anatomy and to explain many congenital anomalies. Text in concise Illustrated Colour Text style, so core information on embryology can be quickly recognised and digested. Clear full colour diagrams and pictures make the embryological concepts clear and easily assimilated. Clinical boxes highlight essential points of importance to medical students.

Unlike other areas of medicine where statistics are meticulously kept by governments and global organizations, there are no accurate data to describe the number of the world's inhabitants who are overweight, obese, or morbidly obese. Despite this knowledge deficit, it should come as no surprise to readers that the medical community is facing an epidemic. Obesity is present in many of the developed countries and can also be observed in some urban areas of developing nations. The cause of this epidemic, simply stated, is overeating, but the overriding concern is more complex. Social factors, such as growing affluence since the 1950s, increasing reliance on pre-prepared meals, and the popularity of fast foods and sweetened drinks, have all contributed to the problem. Without doubt, the obesity epidemic has had adverse effects on both men and women, but in the case of women, some of its worse complications occur with those who are severely obese and pregnant. Obviously, this combination has been seen in the past, but it has increased so dramatically in its frequency that research has yet to catch up. Studies may discuss one or another aspect of caring for the obese pregnant patient, but until now, there has been no attempt to draw all such material together to try and present a comprehensive appraisal of the problem. Written by international experts, this practical guide draws on evidence-based material and is an invaluable resource for healthcare professionals dealing with obese pregnant women on a day-to-day basis.

This book explores the cultural history of embryology in Tibet, in culture, religion, art and literature, and what this reveals about its medicine and religion. Filling a significant gap in the literature this is the first in-depth exploration of Tibetan medical history in the English language. It reveals the prevalence of descriptions of the development of the human body - from conception to birth - found in all forms of Tibetan religious literature, as well as in medical texts and in art. By analysing stories of embryology, Frances Garrett explores questions of cultural transmission and adaptation: How did Tibetan writers adapt ideas inherited from India and China for their own purposes? What original views did they develop on the body, on gender, on creation, and on life itself? The transformations of embryological narratives over several centuries illuminate key turning points in Tibetan medical history, and its relationship with religious doctrine and practice. Embryology was a site for both religious and medical theorists to contemplate profound questions of being and becoming, where topics such as pharmacology and nosology were left to shape secular medicine. The author argues that, in terms of religion, stories of human development comment on embodiment, gender, socio-political hierarchy, religious ontology, and spiritual progress. Through the lens of embryology, this book examines how these concerns shift as Tibetan history moves through the formative 'renaissance' period of the twelfth through to the seventeenth centuries.

This book examines the United States as a destination for international consumers of assisted fertility services, including egg donation, surrogacy, and sex selection. 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 - and 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.

Embryology at a Glance is a highly illustrated and innovative introduction to key embryological concepts, with concise, memorable descriptions of major embryological developments. This new edition covers the basic principles of human development, from mitosis and meiosis, before exploring the primary formation of each body system, including the development of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems during the foetal and neonatal periods. Key features include: New chapters on cell signalling genes, stem cells, and antenatal screening for common congenital and genetic defects Full colour photographs and illustrations Links to clinical practice highlighted throughout Timelines of each developmental stage MCQs and EMQs for revision and review A companion website at www.ataglanceseries.com/embryology featuring 15 brand new animations, and podcasts to help clearly explain the processes that occur during development. An additional instructor resource contains an image bank of all the figures from the book to aid teaching this fascinating area Embryology at a Glance provides the perfect alternative to the overwhelming detail seen in conventional embryology texts. It provides just the right level of detail on embryology and congenital abnormalities for all medical students and health professionals to develop a thorough understanding of human development and its implications for clinical practice.

Relevant to students, academics and practitioners across the globe, this original volume highlights contemporary issues associated with assisted reproduction and embryology and critically analyzes the law surrounding human reproduction in the light of case law and technological developments since the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (HFE Act) Act was passed in 1990. Tackling issues from an interdisciplinary perspective, the authors identify and evaluate areas that have provoked intense public and academic debate as well as those where further or renewed regulation is needed. Focusing primarily on the legal and ethical issues involved in regulating this area in the UK, which is at the forefront of developing legislation in this area, this book has international relevance as many countries have used the UK as a model for their own legislation. This text is suitable for a broad range of readers, including legal academics, law students and practitioners interested in the areas of medical/healthcare law and ethics, bioethics and moral philosophy, family law, sociology and reproductive medicine and genetics.