Sociological Perspectives on the New Genetics

With the advent of the Human Genome Project, the new genetics has moved to the cutting edge of science and medicine. The development and use of such genetics will have a profound impact on our understanding of disease and behaviour. This volume presents new sociological research which explores the structure andproduction of genetic knowledge, its social meaning, impact and implication s for society.

Introduction: Sociological Perspectives on The New Genetics: An Overview: Peter Conrad and Jonathan Gabe. Part I: Structure and Production of Genetic Knowledge:. 1. Genes as Drugs: The Social Shaping of Gene Therapy and The Reconstruction of Genetic Disease: Paul Martin. 2. Experts as 'Storytellers' In Reproductive Genetics: Exploring Key Issues: Elizabeth Ettorre. 3. The Human Drama of Genetics: 'Hard' and 'Soft' Media Representations of Inherited Breast Cancer: Lesley Henderson and Jenny Kitzinger. Part II: The Social Meanings of Genetics:. 4. Waiting For The Cure: Mapping The Social Relations of Human Gene Therapy Research: Alan Stockdale. 5. Doing The Right Thing: Genetic Risk and Responsibility: Nina Hallowell. 6. There's This Thing In Our Family: Predictive Testing and The Construction of Risk For Huntington Disease: Susan Cox and William Mckellin. Part III: The Social Impact and Implications of Genetics:. 7. Defining The 'Social': Towards An Understanding of Scientific and Medical Discourses on The Social Aspects of The New Human Genetics: Sarah Cunningham-Burley and Anne Kerr. 8. Losing The Plot? Medical and Activist Discourses of The Contemporary Genetics and Disability: Tom Shakespeare. 9. DNA Identification and Surveillance Creep: Dorothy Nelkin and Lori Andrews. Notes on Contributors. Index.