the Female Body GOVERNING

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paula saukko
discussion offered participants abundant views and experiences on
various forms of contraception and advice on preventive medications
and pregnancy. This conversation openly debated the pros and cons of
alternatives and validated lay views. However, the advice provided was
also contradictory, confusing, and emotionally laden, which illustrates
the downside of proliferating multiple views and “choices” in a situation
of uncertainty—particularly when the advice is on sensitive topics, such
as sexuality and pregnancy. Furthermore, while different views were aired
in the conversation, the group tended to emphasize the risk of DVTs at
the expense of all else, recommending women not adopt any hormonal
contraception and take preventive anticoagulants during pregnancy.
This attitude was explained by the fact that the most active participants
had often experienced DVTs and miscarriages, which illustrates the
invested nature of lay views. It also raises the question of whether, and
to what extent, the communication on the list was an act of collective
empowerment or self-medicalization.
The following reviews the basic premises of preventive genomics
and individualization of health, moving on to discuss the gendered
contradictions in the online exchanges.
Preventive Genomics
Research on genetic susceptibility to common, blockbuster diseases,
such as cardiovascular disease, has promised to enable the identifi cation
of healthy but “at-risk” individuals to offer them preventive advice and
treatments. The U.K. Department of Health’s White Paper on Genetics
represents the future preventive genomics in an upbeat, politically
correct way:
A patient today: Ali has a heart attack and is lucky to survive. . . . Ali
is prescribed tablets for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
He resolves to try harder to lose weight, eat more healthily, and take
more exercise. Secretly, he wishes he had taken these things seriously
before.
In the future: . . . Although Ali does not yet have any symptoms, and
his blood pressure is normal, the test shows him to be at high risk
because of his genetic makeup. Ali and his doctor are then able to
make more personalized decisions on lifestyle changes or drug therapy
to reduce his likelihood of developing heart disease. (Department of
Health, 2003, p. 15)