Genomics, Biomedicine and Health - a perspective from a human geneticist turned into a social scientist

[last paragraph of the book content presentation, shift to this section to solve the conundrum of text limit constraints. with my apologies of the “trick”]

The final chapter will discuss fine entanglements between genetic and reproduction. 

It will not be specifically associated with a specific research of report. Rather, it will draw on the multiple ways in which reproductive choice and inequalities issues are present in all studies and reports. In an ongoing study with health economists on the diffusion of genetic tests in France, we show how women are much more concerned by genetic testing that men, mainly due to reproduction issues. 

Issues related to genetic-driven embryo selection or modification will also be tackled from perspectives at the interaction of genetics, ethics and sociology.

Objectives - section

I already had the chance to spend two weeks at the Brocher while attending two different workshops (one on gene editing and another held by the Comité d’Ethique de l’Inserm). 

The second time, I remember considering that this would be the place where I should definitively come and stay if I were to write a new book. Indeed, knowing the place, its staff and facilities, I am convinced that a two-months residency is exactly what I currently need to turn my ambition to write this book into reality.

I know how intensive this writing period will be, and the complex arrangements I will need to organize to required amount of time. Yet, my motivation to stick to the agenda set in this proposal is strong.

I mentioned how important is for me the perspective of sharing my questions, knowledge, experience and doubts on these complex and important issues. It has been a main driver of my work over the past twenty years. 

This project will also help me go ahead in my carreer by symbolically closing the scientific project I opened when I chose to leave the statistical genetics field and turn to the sociology of sciences and health. So doing, it will pave the way for the opening of a new research agenda in the following years, geared towards new objects and questions at the interaction of science, technologies, health, sociology and ethics.

My objective is to have a first draft of a manuscript of 400 to 500 000 characters sent to my editor in autumn 2026.