Embryo Donation: Renewed Hope For Infertility And Getting Pregnant
Robots and IVF and medical bills, oh my! The future can be a scary place as we wrestle with how to integrate technology into our daily lives. What works? What doesn’t? What’s ethical? What isn’t? Are we advancing too fast, too soon? Or is the breakneck pace of breakthroughs revolutionizing our existence for the better?
In this episode of Sick Health with Kevin Ban, MD, we examine some fascinating intersections of technology, healthcare, and society. Joined by special guest Joanna Weiss, acclaimed writer and journalist, we explore three distinct topics that showcase the complexities of our modern world.
We begin with an unexpected journey into the world of supermarket robots. Yes. Robots in supermarkets. Discover how a googly-eyed machine named Marty transformed from a spill detector to a beloved mascot, offering insights into our evolving relationship with technology in everyday spaces.
Next, we delve into the thought-provoking realm of embryo donation. The road to parenthood is anything but easy, especially when it comes to the reality that some would-be parents face exorbitant medical bills in addition to daunting assisted fertility treatment. We'll discuss the ethical considerations, political implications, and the surprising common ground this topic reveals across party lines.
Finally, we tackle the all-too-common frustration of unexpected medical bills. Through Kevin's personal story, we highlight the importance of scrutinizing your healthcare charges. While we can't promise to solve all your billing woes, we do offer some practical tips on how to approach these situations.
Join us for the next 50 minutes and you'll leave with new insights about:
The unexpected ways robots are being integrated into our daily lives
The complex ethical and legal considerations surrounding embryo donation
The surprising bipartisan support for certain reproductive technologies
Practical steps to challenge and understand unexpected medical bills
The importance of following your curiosity, even in unexpected directions
We cover a lot, and this episode doesn't aim to provide definitive answers, but rather to spark curiosity and conversation about these complex topics. Join us for an engaging discussion that reflects on how technology, healthcare, and societal values continue to shape our world in unexpected ways. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with someone who would enjoy listening in.
Joanna Weiss is a Boston-based writer and editor, POLITICO Magazine contributor, and former Boston Globe columnist. Her writing on culture and politics has appeared in The Atlantic, Slate, The Economist, Boston Magazine, and others, and her TV and radio appearances include CNN, NPR, and SiriusXM. Her Boston Magazine article “For Those Moms About to Rock” — about the rock band she and her girlfriends formed during the pandemic — has been optioned for TV and film.
