The Governance of Reproductive Contingencies

The governance of hardship, unforeseen and abnormal events that occur after consent, has been investigated in the contractual sphere, especially after McNeill's relational theory. The exponential growth of cryo-preserved cells, patients performing ART, clinics providing this service, in conjunction with the ever-decreasing birth rates worldwide lead to investigate the phenomenon of contingencies also in reproductive health, where reproductive contingencies may occur. Drawing upon contractual frameworks, the (REMAGEN) project explores post-consent developments during and before assisted reproduction cycles and other factors affecting reproductive capacity, aiming to 1) define and map these occurrences; 2) analyse comparative regulatory strategies in Germany, Spain and France; 3) assess the relevance of relational theory in (reluctant) legal systems, lacking established mechanisms for managing such events (such as Italy and Japan), and 4) propose policy recommendations to uphold reproductive health and self-determination rights.