HUMAN

© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project © Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project © Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project View all images ↓
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  • Dates
    2019 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Locations Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, United Arab Emirates

The manufacture of children through technology

Pipette, petri dish, tweezers, speculum, ROPA method, in vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, X chromosome, Y chromosome, Fallopian tube, uterus, sperm, egg. These are some of the terms that enable the production of children. They sound like terms from a science lab or a science fiction story, yet they have become the daily reality for thousands of people capable of gestation who are part of the assisted reproduction industry.

Eugenics is here to stay, and with it, the manufacturing of children. Fifteen years ago, the idea of choosing and modifying hair color, eye color, mouth size, height, or knowing a child's genome in advance seemed like something from the movies. Today, it is part of the genetic enhancement of human identity.

The obsession with reproduction merges with techno-authoritarianism, leaving no room for genetic randomness and presenting us with significant challenges regarding the diversity of human society.

What is a child? Where does the decision to have one come from? How are children made?

HUMAN is an artistic investigation that integrates texts, archives, and photography to raise questions about the decision/need to reproduce in today’s world.

“… today’s technologies allow for the creation of a human being, surpassing any representation we could have of them.” – François Ansermet

© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
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Self-portrait in front of the computer.In the digital age, the Internet offers the possibility to choose physical characteristics, medical history, and more, transforming the act of reproduction into a deliberate and conscious selection of genetic traits.

© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
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Preparation of Oocytes for IVFThe red light illuminating the environment is used in fertility laboratories to protect the samples from exposure to white light, which can be harmful to the oocytes.In this process, the nurse is responsible for preparing the oocytes, ensuring they are in optimal condition to receive the sperm. This stage is crucial for the success of IVF.

© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
i

Cryopreservation of ZygotesI had access to a sort of refrigerator where cryopreserved zygotes rest, which led me to reflect on the power of science and technology in the preservation of human life. Like the stork searching for its children in the frozen pool, the cryopreservation of zygotes offers hope and possibilities to those who wish to build a family.

© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
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Guadalupe has decided to rent her womb to a Canadian couple, John and Mark. This is her first experience as a surrogate mother, and she trusts that, with the support of her family, the process of handing over the baby to its future parents will not be complicated.

© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
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Infertility is a challenge that affects one in six couples, profoundly impacting their lives and dreams of becoming parents. Experts suggest that the rise of this condition can be attributed to several factors: the delayed decision to have children, changes in sperm quality due to habits like smoking and alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and psychological stress.

© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
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Diabla, a person who has initiated their gender transition process, has expressed the desire to experience motherhood one day with the help of science.

© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
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Daniela, 38 years old, aspires to be a mother. Although her partner has expressed his willingness to be a father, he does not want to have biological children or reproduce. Consequently, Daniela is exploring the option of finding an anonymous sperm donor to fulfill her desire for motherhood.

© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
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Two women, Lea and Vero, receive a vial of sperm from Andy,who has decided to contribute to their process of motherhood.Sperm donation,a common practice among same-sex couples seeking to start a family,sometimes involves donors who do not participate in the child's upbringing,or in some cases,the donor and the recipients establish clear agreements regarding their future relationship with the child

© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
© Fabiola Cedillo - Image from the HUMAN photography project
i

A nurse holds a sleek silver briefcase filled with gynecological instruments; specifically, it contains tools for the egg retrieval procedure, necessary for in vitro fertilization.