Population, Reproduction and IVF in New Caledonia: Exploring Sociocultural and Caring Dimensions of Sustainable Development

Main Article Content

Nicola Jane Marks
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5353-3175

Abstract

Abstract

Both sustainability and sustainable development have multiple meanings that are underpinned by diverse normative visions. Nonetheless, sustainable development is currently centre-stage at the global level. The main goal of this paper is to critically examine these important concepts, in particular their social and cultural dimensions, and to make a conceptual offering: that of ‘caring sustainable development.’ This way of thinking about sustainable development aims to grapple in a situated way with the different normative underpinnings of sustainability in order to support the building of a common future. The paper briefly examines populations, reproduction (both biological and sociocultural) and human in vitro fertilization (IVF), as important sites for thinking about caring sustainable development. It draws on research in New Caledonia examining which populations and which sociocultural social practices are encouraged or sustained, or not. It finds that historically there are many examples of things and people being neglected and not cared for, or being encouraged to ‘develop’ in problematic ways. By contrast, recent practices associated with IVF suggest ways forward that would enable caring sustainable development.


Résumé

La durabilité et le développement durable ont des significations multiples, qui sont sous-tendues par diverses visions normatives. Néanmoins, le développement durable occupe actuellement une place centrale sur le plan mondial. Le but principal de cet article est d’examiner de manière critique ces concepts importants, en particulier leurs dimensions sociales et culturelles, et de faire une contribution conceptuelle qui est celle de la notion du ‘care dans le développement durable.’ Cette façon de penser au développement durable vise à aborder ces différents fondements normatifs, de façon localisée, pour soutenir la construction à long terme d’un futur commun. L’article examine ensuite brièvement les populations, la reproduction (à la fois biologique et socio-culturelle) et la fécondation humaine in vitro (FIV), en tant que sites importants pour penser à l’idée du ‘care’ dans le développement durable. Il s’appuie sur la recherche en Nouvelle Calédonie pour analyser quelles populations et quelle pratiques socio-culturelles sont encouragées voire soutenues ou pas. L’article trouve que du point de vue historique, il y a de nombreux exemples de choses et de personnes qui ont été négligées et dont on ne se préoccupait pas, ou alors qui étaient encouragées à se ‘développer’ de manière problématique. En revanche, les pratiques récentes associées à la FIV suggèrent des moyens d’aller de l’avant qui permettraient de favoriser le ‘care’ dans développement durable.

Article Details

Section
Communities Acting for Sustainability in the Pacific Special Issue July 2017 (Peer Reviewed)
Author Biography

Nicola Jane Marks, University of Wollongong

Dr Nicola J. Marks is Senior Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong. She graduated from the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh with degrees in Genetics and in the Sociology of Science and Technology. She teaches and researches at the intersection of Sociology and Science and Technology Studies, with a particular interest in social aspects of medicine. She has published in Journals such as Public Understanding of Science, New Genetics and Society and The Sociological Review. Her research projects have focussed on stem cell research, euthanasia and public engagement in science. She is currently chief investigator on the Australian research council funded Discovery Project ‘IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technologies: The Global Experience’ (DP150101081, with Prof Sarah Ferber and Snr Prof Vera Mackie). Nicola is Vice-President of the Australasian Association for the History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science.