Born and Made: An Ethnography of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis : an Ethnography of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

Are new reproductive and genetic technologies racing ahead of a society that is unable to establish limits to their use? Have the "new genetics" outpaced our ability to control their future applications? This book examines the case of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), the procedure used to prevent serious genetic disease by embryo selection, and the so-called "designer baby" method. Using detailed empirical evidence, the authors show that far from being a runaway technology, the regulation of PGD over the past fifteen years provides an example of precaution and restraint, as well as continual adaptation to changing social circumstances. Through interviews, media and policy analysis, and participant observation at two PGD centers in the United Kingdom, __Born and Made__ provides an in-depth sociological examination of the competing moral obligations that define the experience of PGD. Among the many novel findings of this pathbreaking ethnography of reproductive biomedicine is the prominence of uncertainty and ambivalence among PGD patients and professionals--a finding characteristic of the emerging "biosociety," in which scientific progress is inherently paradoxical and contradictory. In contrast to much of the speculative futurology that defines this field, __Born and Made__ provides a timely and revealing case study of the on-the-ground decision-making that shapes technological assistance to human heredity. Are new reproductive and genetic technologies racing ahead of a society that is unable to establish limits to their use? Have the "new genetics" outpaced our ability to control or even comprehend their future implications? This book examines the case of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), the procedure used to prevent serious genetic disease by embryo selection, and the so-called "designer baby" method. Using detailed empirical evidence, the authors show that far from being a runaway technology, the regulation of PGD over the past fifteen years provides an example of precaution and social restraint, as well as continual adaptation to changing social circumstances. Through interviews, media and policy analysis, and participant observation at two PGD centers in the United Kingdom, Born and Made provides an in-depth sociological examination of the ethical challenges and competing moral obligations that define the experience of PGD.Among the many novel findings of this pathbreaking ethnography of reproductive biomedicine is the prominence of uncertainty and ambivalence among PGD patients and professionals-a finding the authors argue is characteristic of the emerging "biosociety," in which scientific progress is seen to be inherently paradoxical and contradictory. For many individuals the difference between too much and too little hope is as impossible to define as it is necessary to live with in the "topsy-turvy" world of PGD. This technology, so often associated with Brave New World rhetoric, consequently provides a timely and revealing case study of the on-the-ground decision-making that shapes technological assistance to human heredity. Are New Reproductive And Genetic Technologies Racing Ahead Of A Society That Is Unable To Establish Limits To Their Use? Have The New Genetics Outpaced Our Ability To Control Their Future Applications? This Book Examines The Case Of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (pgd), The Procedure Used To Prevent Serious Genetic Disease By Embryo Selection, And The So-called Designer Baby Method. Using Detailed Empirical Evidence, The Authors Show That Far From Being A Runaway Technology, The Regulation Of Pgd Over The Past Fifteen Years Provides An Example Of Precaution And Restraint, As Well As Continual Adaptation To Changing Social Circumstances. Through Interviews, Media And Policy Analysis, And Participant Observation At Two Pgd Centers In The United Kingdom, Born And Made Provides An In-depth Sociological Examination Of The Competing Moral Obligations That Define The Experience Of Pgd. Among The Many Novel Findings Of This Pathbreaking Ethnography Of Reproductive Biomedicine Is The Prominence Of Uncertainty And Ambivalence Among Pgd Patients And Professionals--a Finding Characteristic Of The Emerging Biosociety, In Which Scientific Progress Is Inherently Paradoxical And Contradictory. In Contrast To Much Of The Speculative Futurology That Defines This Field, Born And Made Provides A Timely And Revealing Case Study Of The On-the-ground Decision-making That Shapes Technological Assistance To Human Heredity. What Is Pgd? -- Studying Pgd -- Getting To Pgd -- Going Through Pgd -- Moving On From Pgd -- Accounting For Pgd. Sarah Franklin And Celia Roberts. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [233]-248) And Index.

Are new reproductive and genetic technologies racing ahead of a society that is unable to establish limits to their use? Have the "new genetics" outpaced our ability to control their future applications? This book examines the case of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), the procedure used to prevent serious genetic disease by embryo selection, and the so-called "designer baby" method. Using detailed empirical evidence, the authors show that far from being a runaway technology, the regulation of PGD over the past fifteen years provides an example of precaution and restraint, as well as continual adaptation to changing social circumstances. Through interviews, media and policy analysis, and participant observation at two PGD centers in the United Kingdom, Born and Made provides an in-depth sociological examination of the competing moral obligations that define the experience of PGD.
Among the many novel findings of this pathbreaking ethnography of reproductive biomedicine is the prominence of uncertainty and ambivalence among PGD patients and professionals--a finding characteristic of the emerging "biosociety, " in which scientific progress is inherently paradoxical and contradictory. In contrast to much of the speculative futurology that defines this field, Born and Made provides a timely and revealing case study of the on-the-ground decision-making that shapes technological assistance to human heredity.