The Realities of Race in Assisted Reproduction

Assisted reproduction clinics have seen a sharp rise in the number of Black folks seeking their services during the pandemic. But many face a barrier even before pregnancy that they weren’t even aware of: a shortage of Black sperm donors.

For many, having a Black donor is a primary concern in building families that reflect their cultures and identities. And while the best current scientific evidence indicates there’s no genetic basis for the idea of race, that doesn't mean it doesn't matter to people when they are building their families — especially when they’re using assisted reproductive technologies.

We speak with Dr. Camisha Russell, associate professor of philosophy at the University of Oregon and author of the book “The Assisted Reproduction of Race.”

We're also joined by Regina Townsend, founder of The Broken Brown Egg, an infertility support community for Black individuals and families. And, we hear from a Black man who donated sperm on what creating a Black family means to him.