New Medical Technologies and Society: Reordering Life

‘This is a timely analysis of the ways in which contemporary medical technologies are reshaping the human lifecourse, and indeed our very ideas of life and death. While pointing to the spirals of expectation and disappointment that run through all these developments, Brown and Webster show that new forms of life are being generated in which human vitality is enmeshed in novel institutional, professional, legal and experiential networks. The book not only provides a map of this emerging field, but draws on a wide range of sociological arguments to develop conceptual tools that will prove very helpful to those working in this increasingly crucial area.’ – Nikolas Rose, London School of Economics

‘An especially useful and thorough treatment. Brown and Webster demonstrate the efficacy of science and technology studies for understanding the myriad ways in which new medical technologies are reordering life.’ – Steve Woolgar, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford