The politics of blood : ethics, innovation, and the regulation of risk

How best to manage risk involving multi-valued human biological materials is the overarching theme of this book, which draws on the sourcing and supply of blood as a case study. Blood has ethical, social, scientific and commercial value. This multi-valuing process presents challenges in terms of managing risk, therefore making it ultimately a matter for political responsibility. This is highlighted through an examination of the circumstances that led to HIV blood contamination episodes in the US, England and France, as well as their consequences. The roles of scientific expertise and innovation in managing risks to the blood system are also analyzed, as is the increased use of precautionary and legal strategies in the post-HIV blood contamination era. Finally, consideration is given to a range of policy and legal strategies that should underpin effective risk governance involving multi-valued human biological materials ''This book examines the relationship between politics, ethics and law in risk governance involving multi-valued human biological materials, such as blood. HIV blood contamination episodes in the USA, England and France are used to examine the emergence of and the consequences resulting from the politicization of risk. The emergence of the phenomenon is examined through a focus on the role of the gift relationship in blood donation, as well as scientific expertise and innovation in risk governance processes involving the blood system. Its consequences are examined through an analysis of legal action taken by aggrieved patient groups, in addition to a critique of the increased use of precautionary and regulatory strategies in dealing with emerging risks to blood safety''--  Read more... 1. Introduction; 2. The governance of the blood system; 3. Revisiting the gift relationship; 4. Professional beliefs and scientific expertise; 5. Risk and innovation; 6. The rise of the recipient; 7. The politics of precaution; 8. Regulating risk; 9. Conclusion