In this long overdue episode, I consider the movie 'The Pod Generation (2023), which explores the impact of AI on reproduction in the 22nd century. The discussion touches on the following points;

• the disagreements future feminists might have on the use of AI-assisted reproductive technology, similar to modern disagreements about surrogacy;
• a Chinese company working to bring this technology to life in 2026;
• consideration of modern ways AI already supports fertility treatments;
• ethical implications including childbirth commodification, parental rights, and parenting styles;
• IVF access limitations in Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, France, USA, and Germany;
• Potential societal changes in society where this technology goes mainstream;
• Overview of existing regulations governing AI in reproductive technology (Nigeria, USA, France, India, Canada, Germany)

References

Nwokedi et al, ‘The intersection of career aspirations and family planning among women in Lagos State: a qualitative analysis’ Bristol University Press, Vol. 16, Iss. 4, https://doi.org/10.1332/17579597Y2025D000000057

Torres et al, ‘The Impact of Motherhood on Women’s Career Progression: A Scoping Review of Evidence-Based Interventions’ Behavioural Sciences, Vol. 14, Iss. 4, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/4/275

German Medical Association Professional Code of Conduct https://www.bundesaerztekammer.de/fileadmin/user_upload/_old-files/downloads/pdf-Ordner/MBO/MBO-AE_EN_2018.pdf

Embryo Protection Act 1990 https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/fileadmin/Dateien/3_Downloads/Gesetze_und_Verordnungen/GuV/E/ESchG_EN_Fassung_Stand_10Dez2014_01.pdf

Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics and Professionalism https://www.cma.ca/cma-code-ethics-and-professionalism

Assisted Human Reproduction Act 2004 https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/a-13.4/

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act 1994 https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/8399/1/pre-conception-pre-natal-diagnostic-techniques-act-1994.pdf

Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act 2021 https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/17031/1/aA2021-42.pdf

French Public Health Code https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/texte_lc/LEGITEXT000006072665/

French Bioethics Law 2021 https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000043884384

American Medical Association Code of Medical Ethics https://www.ama-assn.org/sites/ama-assn.org/files/corp/media-browser/public/ethics/1847code_0.pdf

Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/laws-enforced-fda/federal-food-drug-and-cosmetic-act-fdc-act

Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria 2004 https://www.mdcnigeria.org/downloads/code-of-conducts.pdf

Child Rights Act 2003 https://placng.org/lawsofnigeria/laws/C50.pdf

National Health Act 2014 https://scorecard.prb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Nigeria-National-Health-Act-2014.pdf

Link to English transcript - https://medium.com/@akin-agunbiade/ep6-commodifying-childbirth-what-the-pod-generation-2023-teaches-us-aaf8f6d08181

Link to French transcript - https://akin-agunbiade.medium.com/ep6-la-marchandisation-de-laccouchement-ce-que-nous-apprend-the-pod-generation-2023-0c7058d39bca?postPublishedType=initial