Nameless Relations: Anonymity, Melanesia and Reproductive Gift Exchange between British Ova Donors and Recipients

摘要

Drawing broadly on social theories of relatedness, gift giving, and reciprocity, Konrad goes beyond the study of women's subjectivities as shaped by assisted reproductive technologies and focuses closely on relatedness between untraceable ovum donors and IVF recipients. Because of the impossibility to fulfill reciprocity in gift giving of donor ova where the law enforces anonymity associated with such gifting, Konrad questions what happens to "the gift" when (1) "gifts" are not "things" but parts of the corporeal body of the giver and (2) the giver is unknown and reciprocity seemingly impossible?