In the ten years since I began work in this field, a great deal
has changed in the human capacity to interfere with
procreation. In 1984 when I coined the term ‘living
laboratories’, I was concerned about in vitro fertilisation—
now the term has a fuller meaning explored in the following
pages. In the struggle to understand what science is doing and
to develop an analysis of it as it occurs, I have been partnered
by many women who have inspired and collaborated with me.
Renate Klein has given me a friendship based in powerful
collaborative work, a partnership without competition which
once again makes a lie of the myth that women can’t work
together. Christine Ewing has been both friend and confidante
and has brought to my analysis a scientific challenge which
has informed my position. For their love and friendship I will
always be grateful.