‘Focusing and Unfocusing’—Cognitive, Evaluative, and Emotional Dynamics in the Relationship with Human Embryos among ART Beneficiaries

This article uses data gathered from a study conducted in Portugal to examine the (plural and composite) conceptions that doctors, embryologists, beneficiaries of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) have vitro human embryo. Taking sociology engagements, developed by Thévenot, as its theoretical lens, draws on total 69 interviews with ART patients analyse plurality fluid meanings produced about this biological entity, whose status is neither static nor universal. are likely produce plural lab-generated embryo within framework different regimes engagement, understood cognitive evaluative formats. These various pragmatic regimes, turn, entail distinct emotional investments. When speaking their relationship embryos, therefore express experiences, which articulated using terms such affection, love, detachment, loss, frustration, hope, mourning, anguish. Using we propose an approach enables us detailed record connections between cognitive, evaluative, dimensions beneficiaries’ with—and decision-making processes about—the accounting for plasticity states linked (re)configuration attributed meanings.