Breast Cancer Genes and the Gendering of Knowledge : Science and Citizenship in the Cultural Context of the 'New' Genetics

The book examines the social and cultural context of new genetic knowledge associated with breast cancer. It looks at how this knowledge and technologies are used and received in two contrasting social arenas - cancer genetic clinics and a breast cancer research charity. Risk assessment and genetic testing for breast cancer are at the vanguard of a rapidly expanding field of medicine, while the molecular genetics of breast cancer is a focus for a growing field of basic and applied scientific research. The last decade has also seen an exponential rise in health 'activism' around breast cancer. Using an ethnographic approach, Sahra Gibbon examines the relationship between these seemingly parallel developments. She draws on research in two contrasting social arenas - cancer genetic clinics and a breast cancer research charity - exploring the collective practices, networks and identities caught up in the translation of genetic knowledge from, to and between the laboratory and the wider world. She points to a powerful social form within the so called 'new ' genetics that aligns gender with the knowledge and technologies associated with breast cancer genes, whilst also showing how the circuits of connection between people and practices in different social arenas operate in complex and non-linear ways Risk Assessment And Genetic Testing For Breast Cancer Are At The Vanguard Of A Rapidly Expanding Field Of Medicine, While The Molecular Genetics Of Breast Cancer Is A Focus For A Growing Field Of Basic And Applied Scientific Research. The Last Decade Has Also Seen An Exponential Rise In Health 'activism' Around Breast Cancer. Using An Ethnographic Approach, Sahra Gibbon Examines The Relationship Between These Seemingly Parallel Developments. She Draws On Research In Two Contrasting Social Arenas - Cancer Genetic Clinics And A Breast Cancer Research Charity - Exploring The Collective Practices, Networks And Identities Caught Up In The Translation Of Genetic Knowledge From, To And Between The Laboratory And The Wider World. She Points To A Powerful Social Form Within The So-called 'new' Genetics That Aligns Gender With The Knowledge And Technologies Associated With Breast Cancer Genes, Whilst Also Showing How The Circuits Of Connection Between People And Practices In Different Social Arenas Operate In Complex And Non-linear Ways.--jacket. 1. The Enrolment Of 'patients' : Visibility, Voice And Breast Cancer Activism -- 2. Technologies Of The Clinic : Tools, Tests And Explanatory Strategies -- 3. Constructing Patienthood : The 'care' Of Predictive Medicine And Female Nurturance -- 4. Divines And Pastoral Keepers : Working In Clinical Breast Cancer Genetics -- 5. The Alchemy Of Loss And Hope : Fundraising As Memorialisation -- 6. Between Geno-hype And The Post-genomic : The Management Of Science And Ethics -- 7. Scientists And The Making Of Genomics As Monuments For The Living. Sahra Gibbon. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 203-214) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-18 Front Matter....Pages 19-23 The Enrolment of ‘Patients’: Visibility, Voice and Breast Cancer Activism....Pages 25-47 Technologies of the Clinic: Tools, Tests and Explanatory Strategies....Pages 48-69 Constructing Patienthood: The ‘Care’ of Predictive Medicine and Female Nurturance....Pages 70-95 Diviners and Pastoral Keepers: Working in Clinical Breast Cancer Genetics....Pages 96-120 Front Matter....Pages 121-124 The Alchemy of Loss and Hope: Fundraising as Memorialisation....Pages 125-144 Between Geno-hype and the Post-Genomic: The Management of Science and Ethics....Pages 145-167 Scientists and the Making of Genomics as Monuments for the Living....Pages 168-188 Conclusion....Pages 189-197 Back Matter....Pages 198-221