Your Gamete Myself By Peggy Orenstein

There are several know definitions of a mother. She is who gives birth to you, who carries you inside of her for nine months and gives you a share of her DNA. This is the typical characterization of a mother however it’s not the only form of a mother. Though a mother also raises you and gives you unconditional love, with or without a genetic relation. These mothers could have adopted their children or have used an egg donor. Peggy Orenstein, in her article “Your Gamete, Myself”, exemplifies a trend in reproduction, using technology to aid those unable to conceive by themselves. Specifically, Orenstein introduced two women, Marie and Becky, and discussed their situations with using egg donors. Marie’s story focused greatly on the interaction between her and her daughter, Catherine. While on the other hand, Becky was currently going through the process of using an egg
donor. Besides the procedure and aftermath of utilizing donors, the article also discussed what makes a mother. Accepting the aid of technology to conceive does not make any women less of a mother. People endlessly question whether a person with no genetic relation to a child should be given the title of a parent.
Arguing, they don’t even share the same blood at the end of the day hence they should be simply categorized as guardians. Marie is placed into this category as Catherine subtly mentions that she is “technically” not her mother, which Marie acknowledges as “inevitable” (485). Here we have a little girl exemplifying that no matter how much a person does for another, at the end of the day, all that matters is having a blood relation. Regardless if people know “DNA doesn’t make the mom”, nothing can change reality (485). Sure you can hide the truth from your child, and most do. However, by doing so you are potentially inviting greater complications later on. The truth is bound to come out one day. On the other hand, several people are living well mindless of reality. Technology has changed many aspects of human lives, though they do not affect the meaning of being human unless you allow it to. People should not be ashamed of using technological advances to make up for their
shortcomings. Using in vitro fertilization is not something to be shamed for. Technology was created as a resource for humans. Therefore, taking advantage of these resources does not make us any less human, just as receiving an egg donor will not make a woman less of a mother. Ultimately, what matters most is what a person perceives the situation as. Orenstein also included a study which showed “parents of donor-conceived kids were more involved with their kids’ lives than those that were conceived naturally.” Proving that genetic relation does not necessary make the better parent. Technology can certainly aid a women conceive, but only the women can make herself into a mother.