ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how technology has changed the whole context of women's reproductive decision making. It also explores the implications for a group of women who, because of a particular genetic mutation in their family, find that their reproductive decision making is dominated by modern medical technology. Duchenne is a lethal genetic disease which affects boys, but is carried by non-manifesting females, Boys are normal at birth and only begin to show signs of muscle weakness when they are 3-4 years old. The generation of daughters who were part of this study had knowledge about their potential carrier status and reproductive options that their mothers would never have dreamt medically possible or socially acceptable. The women gave two main reasons for their decision to be risk refusers. First, women who were risk refusers, irrespective of their actual mathematical level of carrier risk defined it as 'too high'. The second reason given for accepting technological intervention is their prior biographical experience.
