The Risks of Medical Innovation: Risk Perception and Assessment in Historical Context

Thomas Schlich (Curatore)

Ulrich Tröhler (Curatore)

Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2015

The risks involved in introducing new drugs and devices are amongst the most discussed issues of modern medicine. Presenting a new way of thinking about these issues, this volume considers risk and medical innovation from a social historical perspective, and studies specific cases of medical innovation, including X-rays, the pill and Thalidomide, in their respective contexts. International cases are examined through the lens of a particular set of shared questions - highlighting differences, similarities, continuities and changes, and offering a historical sociology of risk. Particularly important is the re-conceptualization of dangers in terms of risk - a numerical and probabilistic approach allowing for seemingly objective and value-neutral decisions. Read together, these papers add to our understanding of the current debate about risk and safety by providing a comparative background to the discussion, as well as a set of generally applicable criteria for analyzing and evaluating the contemporary issues surrounding medical innovation.

• Curatore: Thomas Schlich, Ulrich Tröhler
• Editore: Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Collana: Routledge Studies in the Social History of Medicine
• Anno: 2015
• Rilegatura: Paperback / softback
• Pagine: 304 p.
• Dimensioni: 234 x 156 mm
• Peso: 430 gr.
• EAN: 9781138867949

Testo in English