A History of Muscular Dystrophy: The Biosocial Nature of Disease
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Date
2021
Authors
Chambrose, Starla
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is one of the most frequently inherited diseases, yet few science, technology, and society (STS) scholars have attempted to study it. In particular, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding how sociocultural contexts have shaped biomedical perspectives on the disease. Therefore, this thesis adopts Paul Rabinow’s notion of biosociality and traces the history of muscular dystrophy to draw conclusions about how and what kinds of knowledge about MD are produced as biological fact. The first chapter, which analyzes early descriptions of muscular dystrophy, demonstrates that modern perspectives on correct ways of knowing in turn influence who scientists credit with “discovering” MD. Similarly, the second chapter reveals how diagnostic technologies help define the boundaries of disease. Ultimately, this thesis serves as a case study to prove that science does not stand apart from culture; indeed, it is profoundly shaped by “the social.”
Description
54 pages
Keywords
Muscular dystrophy, Science, technology, and society studies, Biosociality, Disease discovery, Diagnostics