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KMID : 1172020010020020119
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Journal of Korean Bioethics Association
2001 Volume.2 No. 2 p.119 ~ p.133
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"life", view from feminist perspective
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Huh Ra-Keum
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Abstract
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This paper is a study of feminist conception of "life." When we consider a concept of life being discursively constructed, we also have to admit that any version of existing conception of "life" is not immune from male-centered belief through the long continuing partriachal period. To study bio-life, we need to give attention to the historical fact that the relation of woman and man had been defined by patrilineal fertility--that is, reproduction of life. Feminist approaches to "life" have emphasized critical analyses of male discourse of "life" which are shaped in terms of patriarchal power relations. Likewise, I have reviewed the history of the concept of "life", especially of modern bio-engineering and bio-science, which have developed within the frame of Cartesian mind-body dualism. Also, I have overviewed the feminist critiques on bio-medical science, particularly on obstetrics practices which are a showcase of men’s need and attitude toward life. I tried to explore what potentially dangerous effects the progress of male-dominated bio-technology without feminist
perspectives might bring about onto women. Finally, I propose a bottom-up method in the study of this area. My proposal came up from an observation of the state of bio-medical or bio-engineering knowledges and technologies that have developed, neglecting many different voices and experiences of life, especially women’s voices and experiences.
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KEYWORD
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woman, feminism, bio-technology, reproduction
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