About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

7 Health L.J. 5 (1999)
Reconstructing Geneticization: a Research Manifesto

handle is hein.journals/hthlj7 and id is 9 raw text is: Reconstructing Geneticization: a Research Manifesto Adam M. Hedgecoe* I. Introduction Many commentators on the new genetics see geneticization and commercialization as related processes. They are the less desirable consequences of progress in biotechnology. Unavoidable and unwanted, they bring biotechnology into disrepute and turn public opinion against developments in genetics. There is little difference between the ethical, legal and social concerns regarding commercialization and geneticization. Most of the critiques posit specific effects on individuals and communities, such as loss of opportunity to purchase insurance or to be employed, reduced tolerance for diversity in the range of human abilities and experiences, increased pressure to utilize genetic technologies resulting in reduced individual choice.' Clearly there are important issues with both of these processes: commercial involvement in academic science has led to conflicts of interest, and the definition of diseases in terms of genetics can produce anomalous situations. But it is too simplistic to see these processes as both irredeemably bad and, in the case of commercialization, this is acknowledged. Talk is not of banning commercial interest in genetic technologies, but of regulating it. Indeed, there are positive aspects to commercial involvement in biotechnology. The aim of this article is to raise the level of debate that surrounds the concept of geneticization, to give a little more depth to it as a process and suggest future possibilities for research. Currently, the concept of geneticization does not allow a reasonable debate about the role of genetic explanations in medicine. Because it is constructed in a negative way, geneticization must be seen as contrary to the public interest and something to be discouraged. What is needed is a reformulation of the concept of geneticization that allows realistic and productive discussions, in the manner of the debates that surround commercialization. A great deal of empirical work exists which documents the increase of commercial interest in life-science research and the relationship between academic and industrial researchers. Much of this is quantitative research, counting the *Adam M. Hedgecoe is a Ph.D. student at the Department of Science and Technology Studies, University College, London, UK. 'M. Burgess, Introduction in B.M. Knoppers, ed., Socio-Ethical Issues in Human Genetics (Cowansville, Qudbec: Les litions Yvon Blais, 1998) at 340.

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most