Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

Reproduction in Science Fiction

This article examines how science fiction looks at human reproduction.  Consider that forced reproduction is not just a violation of the body, but often amounts to a couple decades or so of slavery in the form of forced child care.
Tags: gender studies, networking, reading, science fiction
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  • 6 comments
fayanora

fayanora

March 26 2012, 03:52:35 UTC 9 years ago

The three native sentient species of Traipah are all hermaphrodites, and most reproductive capabilities are controlled by the will; they can decide whether or not to release sperm during sex, can decide whether or not to introduce the sperm to eggs, can decide whether or not to let a fertilized egg implant, and can even change their mind within the first week of pregnancy.
Also, though they prefer sexual reproduction with others, to keep up genetic diversity, they can impregnate themselves and make clone babies that way. Just slide out the grahbihn (analogous to a penis) and turn it back in, directing it into the vagina. In fact, in the Yahgahn religion, the creator of the universe gave birth to Life and Time by impregnating Hirself while masturbating.

In my Mindeodean series, there's one species of humans who reproduce entirely by artificial wombs, and they've lost the ability to do it any other way.