Kohl, Beth 1968-

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Kohl, Beth 1968-

PERSONAL:

Born May 30, 1968; married Gary Kohl; children: three daughters. Education: University of Wisconsin Madison, B.A.; School of the Art Institute of Chicago, M.F.A.; Northwestern University, M.A.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Chicago, IL.

CAREER:

Writer and journalist. Has worked as an advertising executive.

WRITINGS:

Embryo Culture: Making Babies in the Twenty-first Century, Farrar, Straus (New York, NY), 2007.

Contributor to periodicals, including Tulane Review and Chicago Reader.

SIDELIGHTS:

Beth Kohl is a Chicago-based writer and former advertising executive. In Embryo Culture: Making Babies in the Twenty-first Century, Kohl recounts her struggles with starting a family, and the many questions and dilemmas she faced as she used assisted reproductive technology and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to become pregnant. In her "intimate and witty book, Kohl is open about the challenges of becoming a parent—something she assumed would happen quickly and naturally when she decided it was time to start a family," reported Jae-Ha Kim in the Chicago Sun-Times. Despite all attempts by Kohl and her husband, Gary, she was unable to become pregnant. Soon, she learned that she was clinically infertile and would have to rely on modern medical technology if she wanted to have children. "The bones of Embryo Culture is Kohl's own story of two IVF-assisted pregnancies, but she beefs it up with an impressive amount of research on the technical matters and moral questions facing would-be parents, clinicians, and the government," commented Jennifer Niesslein on Salon.com.

Kohl reports on the many medical procedures she underwent in her quest to become a mother. She recounts the many stresses on herself and her husband during this difficult time. Kohl also provides background information on the science and biology of IVF, and describes the procedure from beginning to end. She considers many of the ethical issues involved with artificially induced pregnancy. She wonders if there is a theological element, and if it is right to try to act against God or nature in order to have a child. Kohl muses on whether IVF babies are like other naturally created children, and if they are complete and whole in both body and soul. Furthermore, she recounts the difficulties in creating embryos, the likelihood of multiple births from implanted embryos, and the often painful decisions on what to do with leftover embryos. Many parents freeze their remaining embryos for possible use in the future, but for Kohl there was no possibility that she would concede to destroying the other embryos. Though they were little more than small collections of cells, she could not help but envision them as potential siblings for her daughters. She also notes the physical problems that IVF babies often face, including lower birth weight and increased susceptibility to illness and birth defects. Kohl's quest to have children is ultimately successful—she has three daughters—but the cost was high. She nevertheless concludes that the pleasures of being a parent outweigh the troubles it took to become one.

"In this insightful and honest narrative, Kohl shares her experience and offers comfort and companionship for readers" struggling with physical issues, personal and relationship stress, and the difficult questions brought up by the topic of artificially enhanced reproduction, remarked a reviewer in Publishers Weekly. Throughout the book, "Kohl eloquently shares her innermost reflections while raising important issues in a thought-provoking way," Library Journal reviewer Rebecca Raszewski stated. A Kirkus Reviews critic noted that for readers facing their own trials with in-vitro fertilization, there are "no answers here, but lots of provocative questions amid sobs, sighs, and odes to joy."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, July 1, 2007, Donna Chavez, review of Embryo Culture: Making Babies in the Twenty-first Century, p. 16.

Books, August 11, 2007, Laura Ciolkowski, "The Art of Babymaking: A Winnetka Writer Tells of Her Experiences with Assisted Reproductive Technology," review of Embryo Culture, p. 3.

Chicago Sun-Times, September 2, 2007, Jae-Ha Kim, "The Repro Woman: Winnetka Author Uses Wit to Discuss the Challenges of Getting Pregnant," review of Embryo Culture.

Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 2007, review of Embryo Culture.

Library Journal, May 1, 2007, Rebecca Raszewski, review of Embryo Culture, p. 96.

Publishers Weekly, April 16, 2007, review of Embryo Culture, p. 40.