BioHacked: Family Secrets

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BioHacked tells startling true stories of the people caught between two multi-trillion-dollar industries — medicine and technology — and chronicles how their lives are transformed. Listen as the children of anonymous sperm and egg donors — some with dozens or hundreds of half-siblings — take on the fertility industry. As they uncover the identities of their donors and gather vital medical information, unexpected ethical, scientific, and political challenges arise that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the baby business.Want the full story? Unlock all episodes of BioHacked: Family Secrets, ad-free, right now by subscribing to The Binge. Plus, get binge access to brand new stories dropping on the first of every month — that’s all episodes, all at once, all ad-free.Just click ‘Subscribe’ on the top of the BioHacked show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you listen.A Sony Music Entertainment production.Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts.

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Recent Reviews
  • MADD$$
    Unfortunate
    You were telling a great story until you started interjecting your own political beliefs and ideologies. No interest in your opinion of the ladies of The View and nowhere in the language of the law does it state “Don’t Say Gay”. You are perpetuating ignorance and as a podcaster who has the potential to reach many people, you should take more responsibility in your research.
  • jisatx
    50 years ago
    50 years ago this would have been a timely podcast. Why is this podcast portraying sperm donation to be some sort of strange thing - millions have gone and will go this route. And the girls’ story? Would have been a nice 1 episode podcast. But really, cattle insemination? Beyond boring.
  • c0achEr1ka
    Great work on this!
    My favorite part about this podcast is how it managed to give us listeners perspective of every viewpoint possible in these situations. Too bad many of these reviewers are focusing on how this content misaligns with their own personal opinions, as well as expected perfection from interviewees rather than raw conversation.. otherwise I bet they’d realize how great of work y’all have done here. Please keep coming out with more content like this, I learned so much from listening to each episode!
  • Amyin FL
    Conflicting Values
    This is a well done podcast with some compelling stories. However, you cannot value sperm, value eggs and value the individuals born from these reproductive cells and not value the embryos. These humans are valuable and deserve to be treated with dignity after birth AND before. How can you champion killing unborn babies and the rights of those born at the same time. Hypocrisy.
  • takes one to know one(?)
    Unsympathetic to parents
    I enjoyed hearing their stories but stopped after episode 2. The fact that Amber’s parents are clearly suffering made it hard for me to listen to. Going through infertility is not something anyone chooses. This is not a tragedy. These families had successful outcomes.
  • Philly kate
    So many different perspectives
    I listen to at least two podcasts a week. Meaning I binge them. So I listen to many many hours of reporting. This was a stand out podcast because it meticulously researched and offered a different perspective on the same topic each episode. Some of the perspectives I could have imagined, but others not so much. This was very educational yet entertaining. I wish every investigative podcast could be so robust. Highly recommended.
  • Jaadciam
    Insane
    I know someone with the *exact same story* as the first woman, including the same ethnicity. They had no idea, either. Except they were half, not one quarter. Makes me wonder if this donor has hundreds of kids.
  • Parttimeyogi
    Do you guys know how words work
    I can’t get past this glitch in Episode 2 (spoiler ahead) Why do narrator and Kurt keep saying “donor” when he was PAID FOR SAMPLES?! He *sold* his sperm. He didn’t donate for the good of science. He wasn’t a sperm donor. He was a sperm salesman. He got paid. This isn’t donation you dummies.
  • DutchBoy323
    “like … like …”
    I was thoroughly enjoying the story. TJ is a good host/narrator. Unfortunately, Amber and Caitlin are incapable of speaking English without peppering “like” at the start of a new thought, explanation or emotion. Ugh. I quit halfway thru episode 2, it was like too much to bear.
  • 3585W
    Really?
    This podcast sounded very intriguing but unfortunately after listening for less than 2 minutes I couldn’t listen anymore. Taking God’s name in vain like that was unnecessary, offensive and a real turn off. It revealed a lack of class and good judgment. There are plenty of terrific podcasts to listen to. This isn’t one of them.
  • KerrieD83
    Old reviews wiped?
    For some reason a bunch of the old reviews for this are gone. I love the idea for this podcast but I thought the execution was poor. Especially episode 8 or 9 (can’t remember which now) that puts a lot of weight on a scientifically-unsubstantiated view that egg retrievals/donating eggs causes cancer.
  • Willow@1234
    Biohacked
    I had no idea what the implications were down the road for children, parents, donors and policies with regard to artificial insemmination . There was so much that the FDA, Corporations and our government needed to work through before marketing this as a viable option. On the other hand there were so many happy families also made using this process. I do hope legislation is developed to regulate the process and to give people born using this method the information that they need to live their lives fully. This podcast was amazingly well done, vocals were all set at the right levels, it had a nice progression of topics leading the listener through the difficulties facing all of the people involved. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone who enjoys learning about all sides of an issue. Very well balanced!
  • HSCTOTNT
    Adoptees
    We have been struggling for access to our records for years . Born 1965 in Detroit took me yrs to find information the records are still sealed . I have been waiting for this to come to a head . Although I knew very little about donor conception I know the system in place was probably as archaic as when I was born . No one knew what to do when these minor children grew up and expected answers about themselves we demanded the right to know who we are . The system only worried about making people parents
  • MaybeNot123
    Well produced and informative
    Editing and sound are great. And is a turn off for so many podcasts. This one was well done, very interesting and so informative!
  • ElenaGo-Go
    Transformational!
    I’m on meds that keep me from crying and I cried. Beautifully moving, and explores all the different sides of this situation with love and grace. This is the first time I’ve ever reviewed a podcast. Can’t wait for the next season. Thanks!
  • August JoMc
    Exquisitely done & important
    This podcast is so well-done! Personal, informative, even gripping. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
  • IPCara
    Comprehensive
    This podcast is much more comprehensive than you are probably thinking. TJ does such a great job of blending micro and macro storytelling, from the very personal day chatting with a girlfriend in the ocean to the FDA and possible policy changes and consideration from all angles. Each episode is really really really well done and a thoughtful piece of the conversation. I learned so much! Thank you!
  • Bhfscgbbcgb
    Woke 👎🏻
    Started interesting. Then turned completely woke. Done with that. Sorry. Lost another listener.
  • Rmgrimshaw
    WOW!!
    I’ve heard this story but, hearing Ambers story in the first 21 minutes of the first episode I’m in my work parking lot choking up with tears rolling down my face 🤦🏼‍♂️. I haven’t cried I’m almost a decade. I’m sitting here hoping my employees don’t see me 😆
  • sUzQb
    Well done!
    I really enjoyed listening to this pod and learned a great deal in the process. This is a very important issue that needs to evolve for the sake of humanity and those who wish to grow a family. As a person who was adopted at birth, I can appreciate the need to know where we come from… to have the opportunity to seek out ancestry and history. It’s part of being human. Every origin story is an important one. Thank you! 👏👏👏👏 Well done!
  • truecrimegal2020
    Got super woke
    Got really woke. So annoying.
  • Rulsey
    Comprehensive
    Well done. The subject was explored from a variety of angles, thoughtfully mixing emotional content and relevant research. Thank you!
  • BWGa3
    Was good until bias started showing
    This was a good and interesting story until narrator used the term “don’t say gay” law. Clearly just spewing hate and not researching the actual law. The law isn’t discriminatory against gays at all. Read it. Do research into things before just relying on the talking points to bash conservatives. Also people can still get abortions in America if they choose to live in an abortion friendly state. The Supreme Court just pushed the matter to the individual states. It never was a law just a ruling from years ago that was overturned. Conservatives aren’t the enemy, just different viewpoints.
  • AM22808
    Interesting content, terrible grammar
    Our host has a decent radio voice and fine cadence and tone. Unfortunately, she has the grammar skills of a sixth grader. It’s cringey if you feel strongly about the English language but still worth the time.
  • Bamabeachfamily
    Great podcast about a complex subject
    As someone who went through infertility treatments 20 years ago and tried donor sperm, I was brought back to all the trials and tribulations.The podcast does a great job exploring the industry and showing all sides. I like TJ’s reporting and look forward to more from her.
  • LMecury
    Uhhh
    I’ve been paying for this for months. No updates?No refunds?
  • msophiek
    Compelling, well researched storytelling
    I really enjoyed this series and thought the storytelling was fantastic. I appreciated the variety of perspectives. Really well done.
  • HKCMomma
    Outstanding!
    By far, one of the most compelling podcasts I have listened to. Excellent!
  • LolaGranola_1984
    Great content, grating narration
    The story, research and interviews are incredibly interesting and informative. The host’s tone/ cadence is grating and honestly hard to get past.
  • SummerLamp
    Amber
    So hard to have empathy for this girl honestly.
  • Chitown95360
    Age discrimination throughout
    This story is gross and self-serving. People are so thirsty they don’t care who they hurt. I am also disturbed at how many times the narrator describes older people as “boomers”. People over 40 are a protected class. Would you refer to people of color by a derogatory term? Or women? The narrator is so full of judgement over everything but her own bigotry.
  • TumbleBumbleatNight
    Intriguing look at the donor conception world
    As someone who has a donor-conceived child, this podcast really hit home. The host covers this important topic in an incredibly respectful way while looking at ALL the aspects that are swirling around in the donor conceived world. I urge anyone to listen to this podcast, whether you have a donor conceived child, are thinking about donor conception, or just curious about this aspect of the fertility industry. Really well done production and I’m looking forward to the next season.
  • Beachsurfsun
    Highly recommend
    Thoroughly enjoyed this series! Highly recommend! Thank you for shining the light on a severely underreported issue which affects so many. Excellent reporting, keep it up!!
  • PirategirlJ
    Not good, selfish
    I stopped after I heard Amber’s parents crying - you were raised by parents who loved you & did their best yet you air these secrets like your are not hurting anyone. Not grateful for their love or the life they gave. I don’t want entertained by this selfish story, I don’t like or respect these people.
  • TimJonesYelvington
    Fascinating
    The issues raised are fascinating and complex and the coverage of the different political and ethical dimensions is pretty thorough My one big concern is the absence of a disability justice perspective - it seems like calls for more thorough screening for genetic illness raise concerns about the donor selection process becoming a eugenecist or genocidal tool for screening certain disability communities out of existence that should at least be asked and explored
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