Embodied Narratives: Protecting Identity Interests through Ethical Governance of Bioinformation

Health technologies, research, and surveillance generate increasing amounts of information about our health, bodies, and biological relationships, which presents challenges to managing this information and deciding what should be disclosed. Emily Postan argues that identity interests in accessing personal bioinformation are under-protected in law and often linked to problematic bio-essentialist assumptions. This book provides a robust account of the source, scope, and ethical significance of these interests and the need for disclosure practices to respond appropriately.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 314 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The rapid growth of health technologies, research, and surveillance is generating an overwhelming amount of information about our health, bodies, and biological relationships. This surge presents significant challenges for individuals and society as we navigate the complexities of managing and disclosing this information. In her book, "The Ethics of Bioinformation: Encounters with Self-Narratives," Emily Postan argues that the interests of individuals in accessing their personal bioinformation are currently under-protected in law and often tied to problematic bio-essentialist assumptions.

Drawing on a rich understanding of identity constructed through embodied self-narratives and examples of people's encounters with diverse forms of information, Postan addresses these gaps. She provides a comprehensive account of the sources, scope, and ethical significance of our identity-related interests in accessing and not accessing bioinformation about ourselves, as well as the importance of disclosure practices that can respond appropriately.

One of the key arguments in the book is that identity interests in accessing personal bioinformation are often overlooked or undervalued in legal and policy frameworks. Postan argues that these interests are fundamental to our sense of self and should be protected as such. She challenges the notion that bioinformation is merely a technical matter and suggests that it has the potential to shape and redefine our identities in profound ways.

Postan's book offers a robust account of the ethical implications of bioinformation and its potential to impact our lives. She explores the ways in which bioinformation can be used to enhance health and well-being, as well as the risks and harms associated with its misuse or disclosure. She also examines the complex relationships between individuals, technology, and society and the need for ethical frameworks that can navigate these dynamics.

In conclusion, "The Ethics of Bioinformation: Encounters with Self-Narratives" is a thought-provoking and important book that sheds light on the ethical challenges posed by the growing abundance of bioinformation. Through her insightful analysis and compelling arguments, Postan establishes the ethical imperative to take seriously the potential impacts on our identities of encountering bioinformation about ourselves. This title is a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and individuals interested in understanding the ethical dimensions of health technologies, research, and surveillance.

ISBN-13: 9781108718196