The enculturated gene : sickle cell health politics and biological difference in West Africa / Duana Fullwiley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fullwiley, Duana.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sickle cell anemia--Social aspects--Senegal.

Sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia--Genetic aspects.

Sickle cell anemia--Patients--Services for--Senegal.

Genetic disorders--Social aspects--Senegal.

Genetic disorders.

Kinship--Health aspects--Senegal.

Kinship.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (727 p.)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In the 1980's, a research team led by Parisian scientists identified several unique DNA sequences, or haplotypes, linked to sickle cell anemia in African populations. After casual observations of how patients managed this painful blood disorder, the researchers in question postulated that the Senegalese type was less severe. The Enculturated Gene traces how this genetic discourse has blotted from view the roles that Senegalese patients and doctors have played in making sickle cell ""mild"" in a social setting where public health priorities and economic austerity programs have forced people to

Contents:

Introduction: the powers of association

Healthy sicklers with "mild" disease: local illness affects and population-level effects

The biosocial politics of plants and people

Attitudes of care

Localized biologies: mapping race and sickle cell difference in French West Africa

Ordering illness: heterozygous "trait" suffering in the land of the mild disease

The work of patient advocacy

Conclusion: economic and health futures amid hope and despair.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-4008-4041-4

9786613290939

1-283-29093-6

OCLC:

758374143