Unimaginable until the twentieth century, the clinical practice of transferring eggs and sperm from body to body is now the basis of a bustling market. This title provides an inside look at how egg agencies and sperm banks do business.

Acknowledgments 

Introduction 
PART I ORGANIZING THE MARKET
1. Characterizing the Material 
2. Selling Genes, Selling Gender 

PART II EXPERIENCING THE MARKET
3. Producing Eggs and Sperm 
4. Being a Paid Donor 
5. Defining Connections 
Conclusion 

Appendix A: Egg and Sperm Donors’
Characteristics at Time of Interview 
Appendix B: Demographics of Donors Based on Profiles at Egg and Sperm Donation Programs 

Notes 
Bibliography 
Index 

“What happens when sex cells sell? Do human bodies become degraded objects of commerce? Challenging simplistic accounts of commodification, Almeling offers a compelling analysis of contemporary markets for eggs and sperm. A superb contribution to 21st century economic sociology.” -Viviana A. Zelizer, author of Economic Lives: How Culture Shapes the Economy

“This is a highly informative book. Almeling provides a balanced approach to this highly controversial subject. Although you might be conflicted by the ethical issues, you will definitely be extremely well-informed when you finish this book.” -Alan H. DeCherney, MD, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

“Almeling offers a wonderfully thoughtful analysis and an innovative cultural lens for viewing the gendered lives of sex cells and their commodification in the contemporary USA.” -Rayna Rapp, author of Testing Women, Testing the Fetus: The Impact of Amniocentesis in America