Cash Cow: How the maternal body became a global commodity – and the hidden costs for women

*A Radio 4 Book of the Week*

'Captivating, mind-boggling and deeply disturbing' Maureen Freely

'Humane, thoughtful and urgent — this book will make you think, make you laugh, make you cry, but also make you burn with rage' Dr Mary Wellesley

A thought-provoking deep dive into the global fertility industry and the commodification of the maternal body

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Should surrogacy be a paid service, an altruistic act – or even legal at all?

Is it right that you can pay more for ‘VIP’ egg donors – and to view their photos?

How much, if anything, should breastmilk cost – and who should be allowed to buy it?

The global fertility industry is rapidly growing, hugely profitable and morally complex. This an industry where one person’s biological bad luck can be another person’s financial gain. From egg freezing to black-market breastmilk, the maternal body has never been more commodified, yet the ethical, emotional and economic implications are rarely considered.

Through a combination of undercover reporting and detailed first-hand accounts Alev Scott exposes how the IVF, surrogacy and milk industries operate around the world and who is profiting. In doing so, she considers the blurred line between exploitation and empowerment. Who should make money from the maternal body: only the women themselves, anyone or no one?

Timely, thought-provoking and compelling, Cash Cow is an unmissable investigation into how desire, desperation and commerce intersect, and the impact the fertility industry has on individuals.

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‘A powerful, intimate and disturbing exploration of the hidden markets built on women’s bodies' Professor Peter Frankopan

'An absolute must read for anyone considering surrogacy; a compelling and thought-provoking book for everyone else' Jack Farchy, co-author of The World for Sale