Genes, Women, Equality
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Overview
Genetics is not gender neutral in its impact. Mahowald cites a wide range of biological and psychosocial examples that reveal its different impact on men and women, especially with regard to reproduction and caregiving. She examines the extent to which these differences are associated with gender injustice, arguing for positions that reduce inequality between the sexes. The critical perspective Mahowald brings to this analysis is an egalitarian interpretation of feminism that demands attention to inequalities arising from racism, ethnocentricism, albleism, and classism as well as sexism.
Eschewing a notion of equality as sameness, Mahowald defines equality as attribution of the same value to different objects. Gender justice, she claims, imputes the same value to men and women, despite their differences. It can only be maximized by practical efforts to equalize the burdens and benefits associated with genetics.
The topics considered include participation in research, allocation of genetic services, cultural difference, sex selection, misattributed paternity, prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis, carrier testing, genetic interventions, genetic disabilities, preferences for genetic ties to offspring, genetic susceptibility to late onset disorders, behavioral genetics, genetic discrimination in employment and insurance, and human cloning. Cases, both real and concocted, are used to illustrate the questions addressed.
The book contains black-and-white illustrations.
Synopsis
Genetics is not gender neutral in its impact. Mahowald cites a wide range of biological and psychosocial examples that reveal its different impact on men and women, especially with regard to reproduction and caregiving. She examines the extent to which these differences are associated with gender injustice, arguing for positions that reduce inequality between the sexes. The critical perspective Mahowald brings to this analysis is an egalitarian interpretation of feminism that demands attention to inequalities arising from racism, ethnocentricism, albleism, and classism as well as sexism.
Eschewing a notion of equality as sameness, Mahowald defines equality as attribution of the same value to different objects. Gender justice, she claims, imputes the same value to men and women, despite their differences. It can only be maximized by practical efforts to equalize the burdens and benefits associated with genetics.
The topics considered include participation in research, allocation of genetic services, cultural difference, sex selection, misattributed paternity, prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis, carrier testing, genetic interventions, genetic disabilities, preferences for genetic ties to offspring, genetic susceptibility to late onset disorders, behavioral genetics, genetic discrimination in employment and insurance, and human cloning. Cases, both real and concocted, are used to illustrate the questions addressed.
Carolyn McLeod
In this book the author evaluates, from an ""egalitarian feminist"" perspective, gender differences in the impact of genetic research and technology. The author aims to promote gender justice in genetics (as well as justice for other minority groups) by exposing potential and actual injustices in the use and methods of genetic research. She achieves that objective, which is clearly worthy, by carefully documenting where those injustices might lie. The book is of interest to anyone concerned about gender issues in genetics, and of particular interest to students and specialists in bioethics, women's studies, genetics, genetic counseling, and obstetrics. The author seems to have an excellent grasp of genetics, even though her background is in philosophy and bioethics. She covers the relevance of gender to genetic research, to clinical genetics, and to behavioral genetics. She also documents the intersection of class issues, issues of ethnicity, and of disability with genetics. In three of the chapters the focus is on specific diseases: cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and breast cancer. The author evaluates research and clinical work in these areas using a theoretical framework that she outlines in detail. The highlight of the book is her descriptive detail on why ""genetics is not gender neutral."" Unfortunately, the theoretical parts are sometimes confusing. The author does an excellent job explaining why discussions about genes, or genetics, should include discussion about women. With respect to equality, she recommends that we use the insights of feminist standpoint theory to promote equality in genetics. It is sometimes unclear why her use of standpoint theory isdistinctly feminist. A further point of criticism is that unlike Rothman's Genetic Maps and Human Imaginations: The Limits of Science in Understanding Who We Are (W.W. Norton & Company, 1998), this author does not adequately question the usefulness and the political will behind genetic research for behavioral phenomena.
Editorials
Reviewer: Carolyn McLeod, BAH, MA, PhD(University of Minnesota)
Description: In this book the author evaluates, from an "egalitarian feminist" perspective, gender differences in the impact of genetic research and technology.
Purpose: The author aims to promote gender justice in genetics (as well as justice for other minority groups) by exposing potential and actual injustices in the use and methods of genetic research. She achieves that objective, which is clearly worthy, by carefully documenting where those injustices might lie.
Audience: The book is of interest to anyone concerned about gender issues in genetics, and of particular interest to students and specialists in bioethics, women's studies, genetics, genetic counseling, and obstetrics. The author seems to have an excellent grasp of genetics, even though her background is in philosophy and bioethics.
Features: She covers the relevance of gender to genetic research, to clinical genetics, and to behavioral genetics. She also documents the intersection of class issues, issues of ethnicity, and of disability with genetics. In three of the chapters the focus is on specific diseases: cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and breast cancer. The author evaluates research and clinical work in these areas using a theoretical framework that she outlines in detail. The highlight of the book is her descriptive detail on why "genetics is not gender neutral." Unfortunately, the theoretical parts are sometimes confusing.
Assessment: The author does an excellent job explaining why discussions about genes, or genetics, should include discussion about women. With respect to equality, she recommends that we use the insights of feminist standpoint theory to promote equality in genetics. It is sometimes unclear why her use of standpoint theory is distinctly feminist. A further point of criticism is that unlike Rothman's Genetic Maps and Human Imaginations: The Limits of Science in Understanding Who We Are (W.W. Norton & Company, 1998), this author does not adequately question the usefulness and the political will behind genetic research for behavioral phenomena.
Carolyn McLeod
In this book the author evaluates, from an ""egalitarian feminist"" perspective, gender differences in the impact of genetic research and technology. The author aims to promote gender justice in genetics (as well as justice for other minority groups) by exposing potential and actual injustices in the use and methods of genetic research. She achieves that objective, which is clearly worthy, by carefully documenting where those injustices might lie. The book is of interest to anyone concerned about gender issues in genetics, and of particular interest to students and specialists in bioethics, women's studies, genetics, genetic counseling, and obstetrics. The author seems to have an excellent grasp of genetics, even though her background is in philosophy and bioethics. She covers the relevance of gender to genetic research, to clinical genetics, and to behavioral genetics. She also documents the intersection of class issues, issues of ethnicity, and of disability with genetics. In three of the chapters the focus is on specific diseases: cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and breast cancer. The author evaluates research and clinical work in these areas using a theoretical framework that she outlines in detail. The highlight of the book is her descriptive detail on why ""genetics is not gender neutral."" Unfortunately, the theoretical parts are sometimes confusing. The author does an excellent job explaining why discussions about genes, or genetics, should include discussion about women. With respect to equality, she recommends that we use the insights of feminist standpoint theory to promote equality in genetics. It is sometimes unclear why her use of standpoint theory isdistinctly feminist. A further point of criticism is that unlike Rothman's Genetic Maps and Human Imaginations: The Limits of Science in Understanding Who We Are (W.W. Norton & Company, 1998), this author does not adequately question the usefulness and the political will behind genetic research for behavioral phenomena.4 Stars! from Doody