This Article Full Text (OnlineFirst PDF) All Versions of this Article: 0162243907306855v1 33/3/299    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Löwy, I. Articles by Gaudillière, J.-P. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Localizing the Global: Testing for Hereditary Risks of Breast Cancer

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: lowy{at}vjf.cnrs.fr.

	Abstract

Tests for hereditary predispositions to breast and ovarian cancer have figured among the first medical applications of the new knowledge gleaned from the Human Genome Project. These applications have set off heated debates on general issues such as intellectual property rights. The genetic diagnosis of breast cancer risks, and the management of women "at risk" has nevertheless developed following highly localized paths. There are major differences in the organization of testing, uses of genetic tests, and the follow up of patients. This article studies testing practices and ways of managing breast cancer risk in France and compares them with those in the United States and United Kingdom. It shows how the complex interaction between global and local factors shapes the multiple meanings assumed by the phrase cancer risk.

First published on January 31, 2008, doi:10.1177/0162243907306855

Science, Technology & Human Values 2008;33:299.

A more recent version of this article appeared on May 1, 2008


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?