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Science

Essays and videos exploring physics, evolution, cosmology and other frontiers in science
The biology of dads | Aeon
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essay

Family life

The biology of dads

The bodies and brains of fathers, not just mothers, are transformed through the love and labour of raising a child

James K Rilling

Is artificial-womb technology a tool for women’s liberation? | Aeon
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Human reproduction

Is artificial-womb technology a tool for women’s liberation?

Sasha Isaac

Birth control your own adventure | Aeon
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video

Sex and sexuality

Period drama: one woman’s journey through birth control

5 minutes

The macho sperm myth | Aeon
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essay

Human reproduction

The macho sperm myth

The idea that millions of sperm are on an Olympian race to reach the egg is yet another male fantasy of human reproduction

Robert D Martin

Why uterus transplants are a bad idea for women | Aeon
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Bioethics

Why uterus transplants are a bad idea for women

Sharrona Pearl

We are multitudes | Aeon
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essay

Human reproduction

We are multitudes

Women are chimeras, with genetic material from both their parents and children. Where does that leave individual identity?

Katherine Rowland

Sex makes babies | Aeon
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essay

Human evolution

Sex makes babies

As far as we can tell, no other animal knows this. Did our understanding of baby-making change the course of human history?

Holly Dunsworth & Anne Buchanan

Bun or bump? | Aeon
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essay

Metaphysics

Bun or bump?

Does the mother contain the foetus or is it a part of her? On the metaphysics of pregnancy, and its ethical implications

Suki Finn

Latte pappas | Aeon
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essay

Family life

Latte pappas

Sweden’s hands-on dads represent an alternative male form forged by lowered testosterone and the potent hormones of attachment

Richard W Orange

Can surrogacy ever escape the taint of global exploitation? | Aeon
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idea

Human reproduction

Can surrogacy ever escape the taint of global exploitation?

Katharine Dow

The twin boom | Aeon
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essay

Human reproduction

The twin boom

The proportion of twins in the population has waxed and waned in human history. For the first time we understand why

Laura Spinney

Nadia’s story | Aeon
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essay

Death

Nadia’s story

It is a decision that no parent should have to make: should we let our very sick baby die before she is born?

Ana Todorović

23 weeks 6 days | Aeon
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video

Wellbeing

Juniper was born dangerously premature. What was it that made her keep going?

6 minutes

Is that my baby? | Aeon
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essay

Family life

Is that my baby?

Sperm donation is socially acceptable but donor eggs still provoke a wave of unease about blood relations and motherhood

Amy Klein

Which human embryos make it? | Aeon
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video

Biology

New research helps predict which human embryos are most likely to succeed

4 minutes

Boys and girls alike | Aeon
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essay

Bioethics

Boys and girls alike

An un-consenting child, an unnecessary, invasive surgery: is there any moral difference between male and female circumcision?

Brian D Earp

Fertility fog | Aeon
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essay

Family life

Fertility fog

Women in their 30s and 40s exhibit a mix of wishful thinking and woeful ignorance when it comes to their fertility. Why?

Amy Klein

The first cut | Aeon
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essay

Human reproduction

The first cut

Most American boys are circumcised as a matter of course. Now, many of them feel violated. Should the practice be banned?

Rhys Southan

Polio whack-a-mole | Aeon
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Public health

Polio whack-a-mole

The great allies of infectious diseases are no longer poverty, nor dirt, but the global anti-vaccination movement

Keren Landsman

Where’s the male Pill? | Aeon
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essay

Human reproduction

Where’s the male Pill?

Many promising male contraceptives are in development, but none have come to market. What’s taking so long?

Jalees Rehman

Magic or medicine? | Aeon
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Human reproduction

Magic or medicine?

If you were a poor Ugandan mother with a desperately ill baby, would you turn to Western medicine or the village healer?

Brendan Borrell