Seminal

On Sperm, Health, and Politics

Rene Almeling, Lisa Campo-Engelstein, Brian T. Nguyen

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Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

New York University Press
24 June 2025

Illness & addiction: social aspects; Gender studies: men

Series: Health, Society, and Inequality

The complexities and controversies at the nexus of sperm, health, and politics

In Seminal, experts from across the social sciences, humanities, law, and medicine offer a kaleidoscopic view of the relationship between sperm, health, and the intersecting politics of gender, race, and reproduction. Always insightful and often provocative, the essays in this unprecedented collection cover a broad range of issues related to male reproductive and sexual health—including the latest technological developments for creating sperm; the specter of eugenics in contemporary medical markets; emerging approaches to male contraceptive methods, male infertility, and trans healthcare; controversies surrounding sperm donors and sperm banking; disparities in sexual health education for teens—all the while attending to the enormous variation in how individuals and societies understand, embody, and experience sperm.

At a time when the most basic rights of reproductive autonomy are under severe threat, contributors to this volume argue this is precisely the moment to rethink and reimagine sperm from a variety of medical, political, and cultural perspectives. Ultimately, this volume aims to contribute to a more reproductively just society and broaden conversations around bodies, health and equity in the United States.

Edited by: Rene Almeling, Lisa Campo-Engelstein, Brian T. Nguyen
Imprint: New York University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
Weight: 558g
ISBN: 9781479834082
ISBN 10: 1479834084
Series: Health, Society, and Inequality
Pages: 277
Publication Date: 24 June 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Rene Almeling (Editor) Rene Almeling is Professor of Sociology at Yale University. She is the award-winning author of GUYnecology: The Missing Science of Men's Reproductive Health and Sex Cells: The Medical Market for Eggs and Sperm. Lisa Campo-Engelstein (Editor) Lisa Campo-Engelstein is Professor and Chair of Bioethics & Health Humanities at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Brian T. Nguyen (Editor) Brian T. Nguyen is Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Southern California, where he is also Program Director for the Fellowship in Complex Family Planning.

Reviews for Seminal: On Sperm, Health, and Politics

""Seminal brilliantly offers sperm as a microcosm for the storm of issues, both biological and social, provoked by the ascendance of the idea of a crisis in masculinities. With gametic and contraceptive politics surging, there is no better introduction to the intersection of sex, gender, reproduction, biology, and health than this timely and accessible collection."" (Sarah S. Richardson, author of The Maternal Imprint: The Contested Science of Maternal-Fetal Effects) ""This unique edited volume brings together a strikingly diverse set of experts who collectively cast doubt on many received wisdoms about sperm, masculinity, and the biological and cultural aspects of gender, sexuality, reproduction, and health. The remarkably wide array of topics will make this a go-to volume for many readers interested in different aspects of sperm, health, and politics."" (Steven Epstein, author of The Quest for Sexual Health: How an Elusive Ideal Has Transformed Science, Politics, and Everyday Life) ""By exploring such topics such as fertility, contraception, and sexuality, Seminal considers the biological and social aspects of how sperm is used, made, counted, regulated, and sometimes commodified. These themes are viewed through the lens of reproductive justice and health care inequities. Seminal is an important and timely contribution that reminds us that behind every sperm is an individual with a certain positionality in society."" (Paula Amato, MD, Former President, American Society for Reproductive Medicine) ""As this collection of 30 scholarly (but easy-to-read) short essays … carefully makes clear, male reproductive cells have immense social, legal, ethical, and public-health significance."" (Booklist)