By Grace Y. Kao
My Body,
Their Baby
A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy
When 41, Grace Kao gave birth to a baby for friends who had been yearning for a child for a decade. While a joyous occasion for them all, they knew surrogacy remains one of the most controversial methods of family expansion worldwide.
This first-of-its-kind book by a feminist scholar and former surrogate will intrigue anyone who has ever struggled with infertility, pondered what it would be like to bear and hand over a child for others to raise, or attempted to sort through the moral & practical complexities of assisted reproductive technology.
Meet the Author
Grace Y. Kao
Grace Kao is a Stanford- and Harvard-trained Professor of Ethics, the inaugural Sano Chair in Pacific and Asian American Theology, and a founding co-director of the Center for Sexuality, Gender, and Religion (2010-2022) at Claremont School of Theology.
She is the author or co-editor of four books and recipient of five teaching awards. Dr. Kao also keeps an active speaking schedule and has provided commentary to media outlets including CNN, MSNBC, National Catholic Reporter, local NPR stations, Times Radio (London), and ABC National Radio (Australia).
The world needs more scholars like Grace Kao. With thoughtful rigor and deeply human tenderness, she provides a faithful framework for understanding surrogacy. Her cogent, compassionate arguments illuminate a practice that is often consigned to the shadows, and her work shines with creativity, empathy, and care.”
This book breaks the ice on Christian feminist reluctance to think about surrogacy. Painstakingly researched and accessibly written, it will not only inspire needed attention to surrogacy but also influence the whole landscape of Christian ethics of reproduction.”
Kao masterfully weaves together personal narrative, exploration of data, and engagement with scholarly sources in an accessible theology of surrogacy that is responsive to its complexities and generous to her interlocutors.”
More Praise for Dr. Kao’s Latest Book
Other Books
Encountering the Sacred
Asian American Christian Ethics
Grounding Human Rights in a Pluralist World
Upcoming Events
Nov 22-25, 2024
American Academy of Religion • San Diego, CA
Grace Kao will preside over the roundtable on New Books in Transpacific Asian American Religions in the Asian North American Religion, Culture, and Society Unit at the upcoming AAR conference.
Jan 9-12, 2025
Society of Christian Ethics • Chicago, IL
Grace Kao will be discussing her book, My Body, Their Baby: A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy, with SCE conference attendees in a “conversation with author.”
Mar 12-14, 2025
Reproductive Justice Futurism • Smith College • Northhampton, MA
As a planning team member, Grace Kao will participating in this exciting convening on this important topic headed by Loretta Ross (Smith) and Jallicia Jolly (Amherst).
Recent Events
Follow Along
Fellowship for Protestant Ethics
Dr. Kao delivered the senior keynote address at the annual symposium for the Fellowship for...
Catholics for Choice Magazine Feature
In light of recent denunciations of surrogacy from the teaching authority of the Catholic Church,...
APARRI 2024
Dr. Kao served as the co-chair of the 2024 APARRI conference. Held at UC Berkeley from June 11-13,...
Recent Videos
Announcing the Summer 2023 publication of My Body, Their Baby: A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy
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