The rapid advancement of reproductive technologies, including in vitro gametogenesis, genome engineering, mitochondrial donation, and extra-uterine support systems, necessitates a democratic and sustainable approach to their development. Current public participation largely focuses on the risks, benefits, and costs of these technologies from the perspectives of patients and healthcare professionals, neglecting broader social and moral implications. This study argues that speculative design offers a promising method for eliciting public views and concerns about these technologies. It aims to examine public perceptions of emerging reproductive technologies, specifically focusing on how these technologies impact health, healthcare provision, and societal moral considerations. The existing literature primarily examines specific technologies or groups, with limited research exploring broader citizen perspectives, particularly using qualitative methods beyond surveys or pre-defined problem framings. This study addresses this gap by employing speculative design to explore a wider range of public concerns.

Existing literature primarily focuses on public perceptions and attitudes towards specific assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), such as IVF, gamete donation, preimplantation genetic screening, and mitochondrial donation. Most studies utilize quantitative methods like surveys to gather input on pre-defined questions or adopt specific problem framings, limiting the exploration of diverse perspectives. Fewer studies utilize qualitative methods to examine broader citizen perceptions beyond specific groups or technological risks. This study aims to address this gap by employing a speculative design approach to elicit a wider range of moral concerns associated with emerging ARTs and their societal impact. It builds upon the work of Swierstra and Rupp (2007) and Boenink (2010) on techno-moral patterns, incorporating the ethical dimensions of technological change in reproductive biology.

The study employed a speculative design exhibition titled 'Reproductopia' at the @Droog design gallery in Amsterdam. The exhibition featured several exhibits showcasing various future reproductive technologies (e.g., artificial womb, in vitro gametogenesis, gene editing), detailed in Table 1. Semi-scripted interviews were conducted with 142 visitors (67 conversations) by three researchers acting as 'speculative consultants,' guiding visitors through the exhibition and prompting discussions about their preferred reproductive futures. Conversations averaged 30 minutes and explored visitors' reactions to specific exhibits. Data analysis involved two rounds of thematic analysis: the first based on established techno-moral patterns, and the second focusing on the contextual framing of these patterns to identify underlying values and concerns. The analysis used MAXQDA18 software. The researchers collaboratively coded the data, resolving discrepancies through discussion and negotiation.

The study identified six recurring themes reflecting moral concerns about the development of reproductive technologies: 1. **The Rights of the Unborn:** Participants emphasized the unborn child's need for a sense of self and belonging, considering the implications of cloning and genetic selection. Discussions included the importance of knowing one's biological and social lineage, drawing parallels to adoption and sperm donation. 2. **Access and Equality:** Participants debated who should have access to reproductive technologies, considering various groups (gay couples, single women, transgender individuals, those in countries with limited healthcare access). The discussion also addressed potential inequalities arising from cost and access to technology. They also redefined categories and labels like age and the variability of this criterion. 3. **Social Implications of Individual Choices:** Participants grappled with the tension between individual autonomy in reproductive choices and potential negative consequences for society. The discussion included the desirability of maintaining 'natural' reproduction as the standard while ensuring equal access to technology for those who need it, along with considerations for privacy, conscious decision-making, and regulatory frameworks like a 'parenthood test'. 4. **Society as a Community:** The discussions explored the kind of society participants wanted to live in, emphasizing the importance of shared responsibility for childcare, fostering strong relationships, and creating a sense of safety and belonging, especially in relation to new family structures. 5. **Ecology:** Participants reflected on the ethical implications of human intervention in animal reproduction, considering animal rights and the responsibility for caring for animals and preventing overpopulation. The discussions included scenarios of human-animal reproduction, such as the 'pig womb' and 'dolphin delivery' scenarios. 6. **The Value of Wonder:** Participants explored the value of uncertainty and the unexpected in reproduction, contrasting this with the desire for security and control offered by technology. The value of natural processes and the potential for technology to diminish the sense of wonder and diversity were discussed.

This study's findings reveal a broader range of moral concerns associated with reproductive technologies than typically addressed in participatory research. While previous studies examined technological innovation, access, and ethical concerns related to the rights of the unborn and societal impact, our study uniquely highlights concerns regarding ecology and the value of wonder. The speculative design method effectively elicited nuanced perspectives by prompting participants to engage with imaginative scenarios, revealing complex values underlying debates about 'naturalness' and the role of technology. The findings underscore the need for broader public participation that goes beyond merely assessing technological risks and benefits to consider wider social and ethical impacts.

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of speculative design in broadening public deliberation on the ethical and social implications of reproductive technologies. By engaging participants with imaginative scenarios, the study revealed six key themes of moral concern, including ecology and the value of wonder—areas typically absent from existing literature. To further enhance the inclusivity and depth of such discussions, future research should prioritize diverse participation from both designers and participants, exploring diverse methodologies and contexts for public engagement with these transformative technologies.

The self-selected nature of the participants in the 'Reproductopia' exhibition limits the generalizability of the findings. The culturally interested audience and geographic location of the exhibition might have skewed the results. Future research should employ diverse recruitment strategies to ensure a more representative sample of public opinions on the ethical and social implications of reproductive technologies.