Login | Register

Ashkenazi Jews, biomedicine and governmentality : two case studies

Title:

Ashkenazi Jews, biomedicine and governmentality : two case studies

Smele, Sandra (2008) Ashkenazi Jews, biomedicine and governmentality : two case studies. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

[thumbnail of MR42483.pdf]
Preview
Text (application/pdf)
MR42483.pdf - Accepted Version
1MB

Abstract

Debates about the implications of conducting genetic research on ethno-racial groups have largely revolved around two opposing assumptions. This research is either viewed as problematic because it supports the idea that biological races exist which is considered to have been the root of racist actions and historical tragedies of times now past, or this research is viewed as medically progressive such that not including all ethno-racial groups as subjects of genetic research is regarded as discrimination. This thesis takes a different approach to exploring the relationship between ethno-racial groups and biomedical developments, such as genetics, through conducting a comparative case study of how one particular ethno-racial group, Jews, have negotiated their group identity and broader societal belonging in relation to biomedical developments. Focusing particularly on two contexts in which a liberal governance informed the negotiations of Jewish 'inclusion' in their broader societies, nineteenth and early twentieth century England, and twentieth century and contemporary America, the concept of biomedical citizenship is used to provide a critical analysis of the ways in which this negotiation of Jewish identity was and continues to be shaped by biomedical developments given the norms embedded in the 'healthy behaviours' these developments prescribe. This thesis, therefore, contributes to contemporary debates over the implications of conducting biomedical research on ethno-racial groups by demonstrating the significance of biomedical developments in shaping the 'inclusion' of these groups in liberal societies.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Sociology and Anthropology
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Smele, Sandra
Pagination:vi, 108 leaves ; 29 cm.
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Sociology and Anthropology
Date:2008
Thesis Supervisor(s):Reuter, S
Identification Number:LE 3 C66S63M 2008 S64
ID Code:976006
Deposited By: Concordia University Library
Deposited On:22 Jan 2013 16:18
Last Modified:13 Jul 2020 20:09
Related URLs:
All items in Spectrum are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved. The use of items is governed by Spectrum's terms of access.

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads per month over past year

Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
- Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
Back to top Back to top