Breeders: A Subclass of Women? 2014
Distributed by The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network, 3380 Vincent Rd Ste HUB, Pleasant Hill CA 94523-4324; 925-407-2660
Produced by Jennifer Lahl and Matthew Eppinette
Directed by Jennifer Lahl and Matthew Eppinette
DVD, color, 52 min.
High School - General Adult
Childbirth, Parenting, Family Relations, Reproductive Rights
Date Entered: 05/13/2015
Reviewed by Sandy Costanza D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY“Family is Love” is the premise behind Breeders: A Subclass of Women? With surrogate mothers, donor sperm, donor eggs, contracts, money and babies for sale, this film examines the question: are women breeders?
Several surrogate mothers share their experiences as well as a woman born from a surrogate. Infertility, medical conditions and same sex couples are identified as reasons for utilizing a surrogate to start or expand the family. Traditional and gestational surrogacy are explained as well as the need for contracts to protect all parties involved. In addition, psychological consequences for the surrogate, families on both sides of the contract, as well as the infant are identified.
I would not recommend this film for college and adult audiences. While this film raises many ethical and legal issues I found the film to have a definite negative bias towards surrogacy. I found myself waiting throughout the film to hear the upside of using a surrogate. As technology advances and becomes more complicated the use of a surrogate is bound to increase. Including interviews with the families who utilize a surrogate and have a positive experiences would have helped this film present the ethical issues from all sides. As is, I’m not sure who would find this film useful.