Negotiating Risk

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. 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.A" * 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