Negotiating Risk: British Pakistani Experiences of Genetics | BERGHAHN BOOKS
Join our Email List Berghahn Books Logo

berghahn New York · Oxford

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
Browse
Negotiating Risk: British Pakistani Experiences of Genetics

View Table of Contents




See Related
Anthropology Journals

Email Newsletters

Sign up for our email newsletters to get customized updates on new Berghahn publications.

Click here to select your preferences

Negotiating Risk

British Pakistani Experiences of Genetics

Alison Shaw

320 pages, 5 illus., bibliog., index

ISBN  978-1-84545-548-4 $135.00/£99.00 / Hb / Published (January 2009)

eISBN 978-1-84545-887-4 eBook

https://doi.org/10.3167/9781845455484


View CartYour country: - edit Buy the eBook from these vendorsRequest a Review or Examination Copy (in Digital Format)Recommend to your LibraryAvailable in GOBI®

Reviews

“…a timely analysis…Shaw’s work offers many insights to those working with potentially affected people, healthcare policy makers and planners, and those in the general public who are interested in these issues.  ·  Social Anthropology/Anthropologie sociale

This book is a long awaited breath of fresh air to put risky genes and tradition into proper scientific context.  ·  Human Biology

This is a sensitively written and engaging account of a very difficult topic – both intellectually and emotionally. Shaw’s long-standing research with British Pakistanis in the Oxford area is very evident in her ability to develop strong relationships with informants, based on shared understandings and empathy. Shaw manages to produce a book which is both academically rigorous and highly readable, indeed compelling. This is not only a remarkable achievement in itself; it also means that the volume can – and should – be read not just by anthropologists and other social scientists, but by health professionals and policy makers. It should be compulsory reading for medical students!  ·  Anthropos

“This is a thoughtful examination of important issues of risk, genetic information and the development of diaspora specific narratives. It is both systematic and engaging, which is not an easy thing to accomplish. Overall I think Shaw has made a remarkable contribution to a topic which is rife with words printed but sadly lacking in innovative approaches.”  ·  Stephen Lyon, Durham University

“…an excellent piece of work [that] addresses a very important debate at the intersection of clinical genetics, delivery of health services to ethnic minorities and anthropology “  ·  Bob Simpson, Durham University

Description

Drawing on fieldwork with British Pakistani clients of a UK genetics service, this book explores the personal and social implications of a ‘genetic diagnosis’. Through case material and comparative discussion, the book identifies practical ethical dilemmas raised by new genetic knowledge and shows how, while being shaped by culture, these issues also cross-cut differences of culture, religion and ethnicity. The book also demonstrates how identifying a population-level elevated ‘risk’ of genetic disorders in an ethnic minority population can reinforce existing social divisions and cultural stereotypes. The book addresses questions about the relationship between genetic risk and clinical practice that will be relevant to health workers and policy makers.

Alison Shaw is Senior Research Fellow at the Ethox Centre, University of Oxford, having taught at Brunel (1997-2004), London and Oxford Brookes universities. Her research interests include medical anthropology, ethnicity, kinship and social aspects of genetics. Her books include Kinship and Continuity: Pakistani families in Britain (Routledge 2000); A Pakistani Community in Britain (Blackwell 1888); and Changing Sex and Bending Gender (Berghahn 2005), edited with Shirley Ardener.

Subject: Medical Anthropology
Area: Europe


Contents

Back to Top



Library Recommendation Form

Dear Librarian,

I would like to recommend Negotiating Risk British Pakistani Experiences of Genetics for the library. Please include it in your next purchasing review with my strong recommendation. The RRP is: $135.00

I recommend this title for the following reasons:

BENEFIT FOR THE LIBRARY: This book will be a valuable addition to the library's collection.

REFERENCE: I will refer to this book for my research/teaching work.

STUDENT REFERRAL: I will regularly refer my students to the book to assist their studies.

OWN AFFILIATION: I am an editor/contributor to this book or another book in the Series (where applicable) and/or on the Editorial Board of the Series, of which this volume is part.