Limor Dina Gonen

Sperm and simulacra: emotional capitalism and sperm donation industry

The article proposes sociological insights into the sperm banking industry, derived from a qualitative study of extended sperm donor profiles in six large American sperm banks. We content analyzed the extended profiles and baby photos of 120 randomly selected donors who appear in the catalogues. Inspired by Baudrillards and Illouzs writings on the postmodern era, we show how sperm banks de-commodify sperm, personify donations, facilitate the romanticization of the donor–recipient bond, and add an emotional context to the economic transaction. The donors’ extended profiles constitute a simulacrum of a living male partner and fulfill recipients’ fantasies. This creates a powerful reenchantment mechanism counterbalancing the anonymity and disenchantment characterizing donor insemination technology in particular and the postmodern spirit in general.

Duration and optimal number of shifts in the labour market

Significant conflicts impacting production costs and efficient use of labour are associated with shift work. We examine the relationship between the number of shifts and their duration in order to maximize efficient use of labour. We focus on the debate between two basic elements: (1) a greater number of shifts of shorter duration which require more idle time between shifts, and may lead to increased expenses and inefficient use of resources; and (2) shifts of shorter duration that generate higher productivity. We develop a formula for achieving a balance between the two elements and determining the optimal number of shifts and their duration. We present several applications that can be derived from our formula.

Economic implications of in vitro fertilization using willingness to pay

IntroductionFertility levels are determined by social, religious, and cultural factors on one hand, and by financial considerations that affect the demand for children as well as the supply of children on the other. Using theoretical and empirical models we examine the private and social benefit of children, and the private and social welfare differences that are generated by technological innovation in fertility technology.Subjects and methodsA theoretical model measures the marginal private and social benefit when the children’s potential output depends on the natural potential fertility combined with medical fertility technology. It is followed by an empirical model that focuses on the evaluation of the general public’s, and in vitro fertilization patients’ “willingness to pay” for fertility treatments. The economic evaluation method is based on willingness to pay, which is derived from answers to hypothetical questions.ResultsBased on questionnaires distributed between in vitro fertilization actual patients and the general public, the empirical model’s findings are that the average willingness to pay amongst patients is

Satisfaction with in vitro fertilization treatment: patients’ experiences and professionals’ perceptions

5,482, whereas for the general public it is

Social and private benefits of assisted reproductive technology: a national survey-based evaluation in Israel.

4,398. Both the general public as well the actual patients are willing to pay more than the actual average cost of an in vitro fertilization treatment, which is

The willingness to pay for in vitro fertilization-related information and its attributes: a cross-sectional study in Israel

3,257.ConclusionWe find that when considering the appropriate allocation of limited resources, subsidizing fertilization should receive high priority since the net benefits for both patients and society are high.

Advocacy for unborn sperm donor-conceived children and family policy

BackgroundThis paper investigates patients’ satisfaction with various aspects of fertility care and seeks to determine to what extent fertility specialists are able to assess patient satisfaction. Patients’ experiences with in-vitro fertilization (IVF) services and facilities have been compiled and examined in order to discover whether patients’ satisfaction is correlated to psychological factors and demographic, socio-economic, and health characteristics, and whether patients’ satisfaction has an influence on the willingness to pay (WTP) for IVF treatment.MethodsThe study was carried out on 204 patients and 19 fertility professionals from 8 public IVF units in Israel.ResultsThe study found that, overall, infertile patients are satisfied with the care they received. Several demographic variables (age; education; income; number of fertility treatments) and psychological factors (‘Pessimism’ and ‘Activeness’), were found to be significantly correlated with patient satisfaction with IVF.The results yielded a negative correlation between the WTP for IVF treatment and the satisfaction with access to care and physical conditions.ConclusionsPatient satisfaction is an important component in the evaluation of fertility treatments as well as other medical interventions. Insights into the quality of care as seen from the patients’ perspective may help healthcare staff better meet patients’ needs, wishes, and priorities.

The Modified Baumol Equation: Theory and Evidence

BACKGROUND The objective of this paper was to measure the private and social benefits resulting from technological advances in fertility treatment. METHODS An empirical model investigates the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for advances in the medical technology of in vitro fertilization (IVF) among the general public and among IVF patients in Israel. RESULTS The empirical models findings demonstrate that IVF patients and the general public value medical technology advances and have a positive WTP for it. The average WTP for IVF technology advances, among IVF patients, is US

The Effects of Income Levels and Income Inequalities on Happiness

3116.9 whereas for the general public it is US

Holding Cash and Spontaneous Behavior: A Modification of the Baumol Equation

2284.4. CONCLUSION Available evidence suggests that advances in medical technology have delivered substantial benefits and appear to have contributed to improved wellbeing.