Frameworks of Choice: Predictive and Genetic Testing in Asia

Frameworks of Choice: Predictive and Genetic Testing in Asia is the first comparative study of predictive and genetic testing in Asia in the English language. It explores genetic and predictive testing in relation to political and social institutions such as education, health­care, research regulation and genetic governance. It is a unique study of genomic policy-making, grounded in empirical fieldwork in Chi­na, Japan, India and Sri Lanka.

The volume presents original theoretical analyses of the cultural and political dimensions of predictive and genetic testing by analysing the social, cultural, political and economic environment of choices that people have before and after they undergo a genetic or predic­tive test. These frameworks of choice also shed light on the different test options of people in developing countries and affluent welfare societies, explaining the so-called therapeutic gap occurring when no therapies are available after diagnosis.

Frameworks of Choice provides a sensitive understanding of the stakes in genetic testing of various socio-economic and political groups, in­cluding governments, ethnic groups, women, patient groups, insur­ance companies, pharmaceutical industry and scientists.

Margaret Sleeboom-Faulkner is Reader in Social Anthropology at the University of Sussex.