Miriam Zoll

2014-09-07 23:28:26 Miriam Zoll's 2013 controversial book, Cracked Open: Liberty, Fertility and the Pursuit of High-Tech Babies, created a global media blitz and buzz about the under reported high failure rates, maternal and infant health risks, human rights and class concerns, and bioethical conflicts associated with assisted reproductive technologies like I.V.F., egg donation and commercial surrogacy. Her Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin communications have helped inform media and public policy experts about formerly veiled issues pertaining to the commodification of women's reproductive labor and organs, the rise of infant trafficking through unregulated commercial surrogacy rings, and maternal and infant health risks linked to unproven and often experimental medical services. There is growing evidence linking these seemingly benign medical services to black market baby selling (Thailand), the creation of 3-parent DNA babies (Britain), overuse of procedures in order to turn profits vs. treat patients/consumers (British Medical Journal February 2014), abandonment of children born through I.V.F. if infants have illness or abnormalities (Thailand "Baby Gammy" case), and a growing body of medical evidence showing a 25-26% increased associated risk of birth defects among babies born from reproductive technologies. Miriam has also been instrumental in stimulating a growing movement of former patients/consumers who are speaking out about their experiences (despite aggressive marketing by clinics, 80% of I.V.F. cycles fail annually around the world; 71% fail in the U.S.) and advocating for greater transparency from the industry and greater public health education about these life-changing services and their impact on individuals and society.

2014-09-08 20:31:35 Miriam Zoll shines a much needed light on the opaque, unregulated and increasingly profit-driven fertility industry (it is $4B and growing). Through her beautiful, poignant language and insights readers experience the torment that couples face when moving down the path of treatment and the heaviness of weighing options that even in our most rational states are difficult to navigate. In a powerful narrative, Zoll challenges conventional wisdom about what fertility medicine can achieve and raises important questions about the lack of oversight -- especially given the health risks for those involved in fertility treatment (donors and surrogates included). She also highlights the dubious marketing of risky procedures to those at their most vulnerable. Cracked Open weaves together the complexity of biology and the emotions that accompany failed fertility treatment. It also makes abundantly clear the need for standard protocols and longitudinal health studies.

2014-09-09 17:09:13 Cracked Open, along with Miriam's other writing and speaking, have helped jumpstart a much-needed conversation about the problematic aspects of the fertility industry. My organization, the Center for Genetics and Society, has found her work extremely compelling and effective. We have been honored to have her write for our blog, and to sponsor a well-attended online interview with her.Here's what I wrote about Cracked Open:"The joy of becoming a parent through assisted reproduction is widely and warmly appreciated. But until now we've heard very little about those – the majority in all age groups – for whom high-tech fertility treatments fail. In Cracked Open, Miriam Zoll gives us an unblinking account of the emotional anguish, health complications, ethical quandaries and financial costs of her own journey into the fertility industry. Cracked Open is a wonderfully engaging memoir that also delivers vital insights into the consequences of our failure to adequately understand and regulate the business of assisted reproduction. It sits squarely in the powerful feminist tradition of revealing the political stakes of personal experience through sharing our most heartfelt stories."

2014-09-10 10:03:51 You want a stale clinical look at the fertility industry? Go elsewhere. Miriam grabs you by the arm, and takes you headlong into her life, to tell you what it’s really like for a couple trying to get pregnant in their late 30s and beyond, where real stuff happens to real people, and where there’s a growing industry of experts out there who are no doubt trying to help, but will also be quite happy to keep trading hope for dollars -- and lots of them. It’s life, so there’s no easy answers, and Miriam makes that clear. This book is not a call for couples to always have babies in their 20s, because as Miriam makes clear there’s reasons why that timing might not work too, but it at least helps folks get a better sense of the tradeoffs and realities whichever path they choose.

2014-09-11 22:28:50 Miriam Zoll's 'Cracked Open' provides a powerful account of assisted reproduction - its possibilities and promises, as well as its significant limitations. Miriam's contributions to knowledge are especially significant as the experiential knowledge of women and their partners if often overlooked in the discourse surrounding assisted reproduction. Miriam's work positively impacts women, their partners and families, academics and researchers, and hopefully IVF service providers as well. Her contributions are significant to an international audience as she focuses on human rights, reproductive rights and policy as well as at the ground level - the actual, lived experience of assisted reproduction.

2014-09-18 23:35:21 Miriam Zoll's book "Cracked Open" is a must read for anyone considering fertility treatments or going through fertility treatment. Very educational and well written. Miriam puts her heart and soul into this work and you feel it! Her book gave me great insight into this very complicated and emotional matter.