The Surrogacy

The Surrogacy depicts a pig that is pregnant with human fetuses. Raising questions of ethics, both in the exploitation of animals and current human surrogates, The Surrogacy explores the idea of a future in which genetically engineered livestock might someday incubate our children. This work was inspired by real research done in interspecific pregnancies to incubate endangered species, as well as recent pig to human organ transplants.

Many technologies seek to engineer social equality, but none is as controversial as the technologization of reproduction. It has been argued that biological differences in reproductive roles is one of the central challenges that lead to gender inequality. Does the ability to defer pregnancy indefinitely liberate women to pursue career and life in equal strides with men?  Or is it systemic policy, and political, and cultural norms around pregnancy that need re-innovating? As the biological sciences continue to innovate, The Surrogacy is a provocation that asks viewers to question the relationship between the options that technology brings, and how they confront our cultural and emotional values.

Medium:
3d printed polymers

Dimensions:
12” x 11.4 x 24 inches

Exhibitions:
MIT Museum

Research team:
Ana Morris

Year:
2019-2022