Elusive Mommyhood

In Elusive Mommyhood: An Investigative Reporter's Personal Journey into IVF and Surrogacy, international journalist Ginanne Brownell, a former staffer at CNN and Newsweek, embarks on a profound exploration of assisted reproduction and surrogacy that combines intimate memoir with rigorous journalism. This groundbreaking book delves into the complex world of fertility treatments and surrogacy from a global perspective, shedding light on the evolving debates, historical contexts, and personal stories that shape this contentious field.

Journey through the feminist arguments that both challenge and champion surrogacy and uncover the global history of IVF and surrogacy. Learn about the motivations behind women's decisions to become carriers and hear from the adult children born through these technologies. Engage with the current discussions and debates on donor conception, the fight for parentage rights for LGBTQ+ families, and understand why many countries are reevaluating their IVF and surrogacy laws.

The book culminates with a pivotal narrative of the author's heavy involvement in the passage of the Michigan Family Protection Act-a landmark piece of legislation signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in April 2024. This historic reform marks a significant shift by decriminalizing surrogacy in Michigan-the last US state to do so. It is also broadly the first piece of legislation nationally around fertility treatments and surrogacy since the Alabama Supreme Court ruling earlier in the year.

Elusive Mommyhood is a compelling blend of personal reflection and investigative insight, offering readers a comprehensive look at the intersections of law, ethics, and human experience in the world of assisted reproduction.