Eradicating Deafness?: Genetics, Pathology, and Diversity in Twentieth-Century America

Author:   Marion Andrea Schmidt
Publisher:   Manchester University Press
ISBN:  

9781526138170


Pages:   216
Publication Date:   22 April 2020
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   In stock   Availability explained
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Our Price $183.99 Quantity:  
Add to Cart

Share |

Eradicating Deafness?: Genetics, Pathology, and Diversity in Twentieth-Century America


Add your own review!

Overview

How did American geneticists go from fearing the dysgenic effects of deaf intermarriage to considering modern biotechnology a threat for Deaf culture? This book provides insight into changing ideas of what deafness is, what science and medicine should achieve, and to the transformative effect of exchange between scientists and deaf communities. -- .

Full Product Details

Author:   Marion Andrea Schmidt
Publisher:   Manchester University Press
Imprint:   Manchester University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 13.80cm , Height: 1.40cm , Length: 21.60cm
Weight:   0.399kg
ISBN:  

9781526138170


ISBN 10:   1526138174
Pages:   216
Publication Date:   22 April 2020
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  General/trade ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock   Availability explained
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Schmidt (Univ. of Goettingen Medical Center) documents the historical attempts to eradicate deafness genes through coercive and restrictive measures including marriage counseling and family planning practices in order to achieve normalization, as well as the 20th-century embrace of biodiversity and of being Deaf as a situation entailing cultural/linguistic differences. In 1977 this reviewer sat in McCay Vernon's psychology class alongside Deaf classmates, whom he asked to reflect on their etiologies and family histories. Vernon's respect for Deaf culture and sign language informed his research in genetics and his genetic counseling practice, which aimed to provide self-knowledge as well as psychological and emotional support. Vernon's work, among others cited in this book, led the historic shift in perceptions, paradigms, and terminology about being Deaf, redirecting genetics research and genetic counseling. Prior to this shift, perceptions about genetics and deafness followed a pathological/curative paradigm. But the new sociocultural perspective surfaced and embraced both signing as a cultural practice and population diversity as a norm. Previously used terms, e.g., risks have now shifted to chances, reducing the blame and stigma of this disability. Genetic counseling now supports the client in deciding which services to use, which decision to take, and what is considered a pathological condition, along with providing access to appropriate information.' --J. F. Andrews, emerita, Lamar University Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. Reprinted with permission from Choice Reviews. All rights reserved. Copyright by the American Library Association. -- .


'Schmidt (Univ. of Goettingen Medical Center) documents the historical attempts to eradicate deafness genes through coercive and restrictive measures including marriage counseling and family planning practices in order to achieve normalization, as well as the 20th-century embrace of biodiversity and of being Deaf as a situation entailing cultural/linguistic differences. In 1977 this reviewer sat in McCay Vernon's psychology class alongside Deaf classmates, whom he asked to reflect on their etiologies and family histories. Vernon's respect for Deaf culture and sign language informed his research in genetics and his genetic counseling practice, which aimed to provide self-knowledge as well as psychological and emotional support. Vernon's work, among others cited in this book, led the historic shift in perceptions, paradigms, and terminology about being Deaf, redirecting genetics research and genetic counseling. Prior to this shift, perceptions about genetics and deafness followed a pathological/curative paradigm. But the new sociocultural perspective surfaced and embraced both signing as a cultural practice and population diversity as a norm. Previously used terms, e.g., risks have now shifted to chances, reducing the blame and stigma of this disability. Genetic counseling now supports the client in deciding which services to use, which decision to take, and what is considered a pathological condition, along with providing access to appropriate information.' --J. F. Andrews, emerita, Lamar University Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. Reprinted with permission from Choice Reviews. All rights reserved. Copyright by the American Library Association. '[...] this valuable work stands out in its nuanced exploration of the in-between places.' Social History of Medicine 'A masterful study of the history of genetic deafness research, Eradicating Deafness? exemplifies how new historical perspectives can be developed by merging disability history with the history of science.' European Journal for the History of Medicine and Health -- .


Author Information

Marion Andrea Schmidt is a Research Associate at the Department of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine at the University Medical Center Gttingen

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions
Latest Reading Guide

Aorrng

Shopping Cart
Your cart is empty
Shopping cart
Mailing List