The Politics of Personalised Medicine: Pharmacogenetics in the Clinic (Cambridge Studies in Society and the Life Sciences) [Paperback]

Adam Hedgecoe (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cambridge Studies in Society and the Life Sciences | Publication Date: January 17, 2005

This book applies a social science perspective to an examination of issues that arise in clinical practice as a result of drug development linked to genetic testing. These include the social context within which new drugs undergo trials and the related attitudes and expectations of clinicians and patients. Two case studies illustrate the arguments--one on aspects of Alzheimer's disease, and the other on the drug Herceptin which is used in the treatment of breast cancer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Well organized and well written, this book is a useful, relevant and timely read for social scientists interested in issues of science, technology, biomedicine, and healthcare” - Ryan Reikowsky, University of Arizona.

“As a study in the social construction of scientific and clinical knowledge, this book can hardly be bettered. It is clearly and interestingly written, and the reader cannot fail to be impressed by the subtleties of Hedgecoe's argument.” - Richard Ashcroft, Queen Mary, University of London, UK

“It is conceptually innovative and empirically grounded, and points to a new way of looking at the process of technical change in medicine. - Paul Martin, University of Nottingham, UK

"...Hedgecoe's study both illumniates new perspectives on pharmacogenetics, and serves as a welcome corrective to work within medical sociology which...implicityly depreciates the role of politics in medicine." Linsey McGoey, London School of Economics and Political Science, British Journal of Sociology

"...this work is an extremely useful addition to STS and to anyone interested in a long-term perspective on drug development." -Emily Marden, Science, Technology & Human Values

Book Description

This book applies a social science perspective to an examination of some of the issues that arise in clinical practice as a result of drug development linked to genetic testing. These include the social context within which new drugs are trialled, the attitudes of the clinicians asked to administer them, the expectations of clinicians and patients and associated ethical issues. Two case studies are used to illustrate the arguments, one on aspects of Alzheimer's disease, the other on the drug Herceptin which is used in the treatment of breast cancer.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521602653
• ISBN-13: 978-0521602655
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,025,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.