Suchergebnisse

Chapter 1: An Introduction to Interdisciplinarity and the Social Studies of Science and Technology -- Chapter 2: An introduction to the Philosophy of Science -- Chapter 3: Laboratory Studies, Epistemic Cultures, and the Routines of Scientific Work -- Chapter 4: The 'Gaze' of the Neurosciences -- Chapter 5: The Neuro Enculturation of the Social World -- Chapter 6: Genomics in an era of Personalised Medicine -- Chapter 7: Social Implications of the Epigenetics 'Revolution' -- Chapter 8: Governance 1 - Trust, Policy, and the Public Understanding of Science -- Chapter 9: Governance 2 - Regulation, Consent, Biobanks and Big Data -- Chapter 10: Gendering Biomedical Science -- Chapter 11: Conclusion.

Providing a critical assessment of developments in health and health-care policy, this book is primarily focused on the UK covering issues such as the policy-making process, the development of the National Health Service, health-care governance and health promotion

'Transhumanism' is the name that has been adopted by a cultural and philosophical movement, a broad coalition of those concerned with the question of enhancing humanity through emergent and innovative bio- and information technologies. As such, it would appear to have little in common with the political programme of Marxism, not least because of a generally uncritical approach to the commodification of human biomaterial that is generally deemed integral to this grand project. The question posed in this paper is whether it is possible to look beyond the contradictory impulses that underpin the contemporary manifestations of transhumanism, and engage with a key theme of the transhumanist movement, that of accelerating the evolutionary development of humanity for the benefit of all? The paper addresses the difficult question of what is human nature, or the nature of being human. And, whether this 'nature' is purely a phenotypic quality shared with all biological life, and as such open to biological modification and transformation? Or does human nature constitute a quite different and unique set of attributes, what Marx identifies as 'species being', characterised by a very different understanding of transformation, that of productive activity or praxis?

The New Labour government would have appeared to have demonstrated a strong commitment to the state health care sector since coming to power in 1997. It has more than doubled spending on the National Health Service, and this investment is projected to rise over the next four years. However, whether this 'modernization strategy' will be able to deliver a more equitable health care service in New Labour's third term in office is open to question. In addition, the expanding role of the private health care sector in a revived 'internal market' in health care raises serious concerns about the future direction of state health care provision.

A case study is presented which examines the political and organizational processes associated with the attempt by the Department of Health, through its appraisal body NICE, to regulate the introduction of a new drug treatment (beta interferon) for patients with multiple sclerosis on 'cost-effectiveness' grounds. Underpinning this case is a concern to engage critically with the claim that we are witnessing the emergence of a de-regulated contractual form of health care provision within 'postmodernity'. A general assertion of this paper is that New Labour's NHS modernization programme has produced more rather than less central regulation over the activities of health trusts and the work of health care professionals. However, in this case study the Department of Health is shown to have ultimately failed in achieving its goal of regulating the introduction of beta interferon precisely because it involved social and economic factors beyond its direct control. These factors included the clinical needs of patients, the prescribing activities of doctors and the refusal of the pharmaceutical companies to reduce their profit margins.

This article seeks to comment on the extent to which the 'liberal conser vatism' of the New Labour government—liberal as in a celebration of market mechanisms, 'conservative' as in a prescriptive moralism—incor— porates the now less fashionable, but enduringly influential discourse of consumerism in its political agenda for the National Health Service, arguing that this marks a continuity with the politics of the last Conservative government.

Key Concepts in Health Studies provides a much needed guide to the central concepts used across the subject, and offers the reader a comprehensive overview of the core topics, theories and debates. Drawing together the fundamentals within the disciplines of health, nursing, and social policy this book is an ideal text both for students studying health in a range of academic fields, and for health and social care practitioners. From ageism to public health, and gender to obesity, the book offers an exciting guide to the multidisciplinary field. Each entry features: -A snapshot definition of the