Genetics and Society: A Sociology of Disease

Genetic science has advanced rapidly in recent years; things happen now that might have seemed like science fiction only ten years ago. Genetics and Society looks at the history of this science and the wide-ranging impact it has had on contemporary society. Using fascinating and cutting-edge examples throughout, Anne Kerr examines topics as diverse as: the institutional structures that have grown up around the diagnosis and treatment of genetic disorders the media representation of genetic debates from designer babies to the genetic sources of alcoholism the politics of genetic decision-making and the state regulation of both genetic research and the biomedicine industry. Each chapter begins with a summary and a definition of key terms and ends with annotated notes on further reading, meaning that it is as accessible for the layman as it is for the scientist. The resulting student-friendly text will be essential reading for anybody with an interest in genetic science and the impact it is having on society.