China is one of the world’s most prolific assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) nations, but the Chinese regulatory framework on access to ARTs is relatively restrictive. Among various restrictions, the denied access to ARTs for most Chinese single women is highly controversial. Drawing on the ethnography of a public fertility clinic in Beijing, capital of China and in-depth interviews with policymakers from regulatory bodies, clinicians, patients, black market agencies, and advocacy groups, Tiantian analyzes the reasoning and tactics behind the controversial criteria of providing fertility treatment and related practices in Chinese clinics. By revisiting the concept of uncertainty, she shows how governance of ARTs serves to delineate the spiral modernization path of Chinese society.

Tiantian Chen is a research associate at the Oxford Internet Institute. Meanwhile, she serves as a trustee of Global Health 50/50, a charity that advances gender equality in global health. She obtained a PhD degree in Sociology at the University of Cambridge. Her research interests mainly focus on studying technology through the critical lens of gender.