Maria De Koninck is Professor Emeritus in Université Laval?s Faculty of Medicine. First Chair of Women?s studies, she taught community health and lectured on social determinants of health. Her research and publications focus on women?s health, including childbirth, C-sections, reproductive technologies and midwifery, and on social health inequalities, poverty and exclusion. She has 20 years? experience in international research and consulting projects on HIV-AIDS in West Africa, maternal mortality (notably for WHO), and vulnerability of young migrant girls in urban settings. She lives in Quebec City.

"Some readers may have strong views regarding surrogacy, but after reading this excellent translation of Stolen Motherhood, if they don?t change their minds, they will at least be better informed of its pitfalls." Maya Khankhoje

"enlightening ? a necessary analysis of the issues underpinning the mediaeval practice that the biotech industries have dressed up for modern acceptability." Diane Guilbault, Chair of Pour les droits des femmes