Susanne Lundin | Lund University (original) (raw)

Papers by Susanne Lundin

Nordic Academic Press, 2012

Just like the first theories in physics viewed atoms as independent and surrounded by a void, our... more Just like the first theories in physics viewed atoms as independent and surrounded by a void, our bodies’ microscopic constituents are often portrayed as disconnected from the body as a unified organism, and from its cultural and social contexts. In The Atomized Body the authors examine the relations between culture, society and bioscientific research and show how our bodies’ singularized atoms indeed still are socially and culturally embedded. In today’s medicine, the biosciences are entangled with state power, commercialism, and cultural ideas and expectations, as well as with the hopes and fears of individuals. Therefore, biomedicine and biotechnology also reshape our perceptions of selfhood and life. From a multidisciplinary perspective, with authors from art science to ethnology, this volume discusses the biosciences and the atomized body in their social, cultural and philosophical contexts

This report is published with the financial support of the Prevention of and Fight against Crime ... more This report is published with the financial support of the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme European Commission-Directorate General Home Affairs. The HOTT project has been funded with the support of the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which can be made of the information contained therein.

Physicians and other health care professionals seem well placed to play a role in the monitoring ... more Physicians and other health care professionals seem well placed to play a role in the monitoring and, perhaps, in the curtailment of the trafficking in human beings for the purpose of organ removal. They serve as important sources of information for patients and may have access to information that can be used to gain a greater understanding of organ trafficking networks. However, well-established legal and ethical obligations owed to their patients can create challenging policy tensions that can make it difficult to implement policy action at the level of the physician/patient. In this article, we explore the role-and legal and ethical obligations-of physicians at 3 key stages of patient interaction: the information phase, the pretransplant phase, and the posttransplant phase. Although policy challenges remain, physicians can still play a vital role by, for example, providing patients with a frank disclosure of the relevant risks and harms associated with the illegal organ trade and an honest account of the physician's own moral objections. They can also report colleagues involved in the illegal trade to an appropriate regulatory authority. Existing legal and ethical obligations likely prohibit physicians from reporting patients who have received an illegal organ. However, given the potential benefits that may accrue from the collection of more information about the illegal transactions, this is an area where legal reform should be considered.

Culture Unbound: Journal of Current Cultural Research, Nov 9, 2012

Modernity has meant a cultural and social differentiation within the western society, which, acco... more Modernity has meant a cultural and social differentiation within the western society, which, according to Jürgen Habermas' theory on communication, can be seen as a division between different forms of actions that takes place in different realms of the society. By combining Habermas' notions of lifeworld and system with Arthur Frank's analysis of stories as a way to experience illness, the article performs a cultural analysis of the meeting between families involved in caregiving in relation to Huntington's disease and the Swedish welfare system. The ethnographic material shows how caregiving is given meaning through communicative action and illness stories, which are broken up by an instrumental legal discourse employed by the welfare system. This confrontation between communicative and instrumental action breeds alienation towards the state and the welfare system among the affected families. However, the families are able to empower themselves and confront the system through a hybrid form of action, which combines communicative and instrumental action. As such this hybridity, and the space that opens up on the basis of this hybridity, constitutes an important space within the modern society.

We start our presentation with a brief overview of the literature written about SF medical produc... more We start our presentation with a brief overview of the literature written about SF medical products in the social and cultural sciences. In September 2015, we broadly reviewed literature about the phenomenon of SF medical products, and identified research gaps regarding social, cultural and ethical aspects. Studies, presented below, are two pilot studies aimed to fill some of the gaps. In May 2018 we completed a new literature search focusing specifically on the social sciences and cultural sciences.In order to understand where and how the Swedish public access their medicines, especially prescribed medicines, an online survey was conducted. Among a collection of 155 answers, the data shows that, although a majority of the respondents feel hesitated and negative towards shopping prescribed medicines online, a tendency is demonstrated that people would seek out medical assistance from other sources in foreign countries if their need could not be satisfied by the current national healthcare service. This might expose these vulnerable patients to the danger of falsified medicines. Our findings point out the need to map out medical consumers’ shopping patterns and call for more qualitative studies to understand this mechanism and to provide the public with necessary information regarding shopping medicines in a safe environment. Thereafter a survey with 200 Swedish doctors was carried out. The main purpose was to gather information on how much knowledge and experiences these frontline medical professionals had regarding SF medical products. The results show that 1 in 4 respondents have not heard about this phenomenon and there is a lack of awareness among physicians on the use of the reporting system. Related education is needed and desired.

Nordic Academic Press (Kriterium) eBooks, Sep 10, 2020

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, Sep 1, 2010

motor symptoms on spouse partners. Identification of the specific domains impacted in spouse/part... more motor symptoms on spouse partners. Identification of the specific domains impacted in spouse/partners at an early stage of disease is crucial for establishing appropriate and long-term support.

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, Aug 29, 2012

Background Apart from the biological aspects of Huntington's disease (HD), HD can also be und... more Background Apart from the biological aspects of Huntington's disease (HD), HD can also be understood in terms of cultural and social frameworks which shape the lived experience of HD among the affected individuals. Aims The aim of this interdisciplinary study between the medical and cultural sciences was to increase the understanding of how cultural and social factors shape the experience of HD among affected individuals. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals affected by HD (n=10), using qualitative ethnographic methods. Key-features of the participants' experiences and practices in relation to HD were identified, and analysed through cultural and social theory. Results The results of the ethnographic study showed that the lived experience of HD was centred on family care-giving for the sick individual, stigmatisation, the meaning of results from predictive genetic testing, and the use of new social media for support and communication. Conclusions The cultural analysis revealed that lived experiences of individuals with HD, (as well as the experiences of their families), could be discrepant with the factual medical reality facing them, as highly abstract genetic tests and biomedical knowledge were culturally interpreted and incorporated into the daily lives of those individuals.

Journal of Community Genetics, Jul 25, 2012

Current developments in genetics and genomics entail a number of changes and challenges for socie... more Current developments in genetics and genomics entail a number of changes and challenges for society as new knowledge and technology become common in the clinical setting and in society at large. The relationship between genetics and ethics has been much discussed during the last decade, while the relationship between genetics and the political arena-with terms such as rights, distribution, expertise, participation and democracy-has been less considered. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the connection between genetics and democracy. In order to do this, we delineate a notion of democracy that incorporates process as well as substance values. On the basis of this notion of democracy and on claims of democratisation in the science and technology literature, we argue for the importance of considering genetic issues in a democratic manner. Having established this connection between genetics and democracy, we discuss this relation in three different contexts where the relationship between genetics and democracy becomes truly salient: the role of expertise, science and public participation, and individual responsibility and distributive justice. As developments within genetics and genomics advance with great speed, the importance and use of genetic knowledge within society can be expected to grow. However, this expanding societal importance of genetics might ultimately involve, interact with, or even confront important aspects within democratic rule and democratic decision-making. Moreover, we argue that the societal importance of genetic development makes it crucial to consider not only decision-making processes, but also the policy outcomes of these processes. This argument supports our process and substance notion of democracy, which implies that public participation, as a process value, must be complemented with a focus on the effects of policy decisions on democratic values such as distributive justice.

Ethnologia Europaea

This article aims to deepen understandings of physician–patient encounters by investigating views... more This article aims to deepen understandings of physician–patient encounters by investigating views and perceptions held by Swedish physicians and care seekers on medicine access. Through a relational approach and a focus on materialities of medicines as fluid and contingent, we conceptualize medicine access as situated everyday practices and physician–patient encounters as embedded in sociomaterial configurations. Through a bricolage approach, we present both quantitative and qualitative data from physicians and care seekers. We argue that diverging views on medicine access held by both parties do not necessarily position medical professional knowledge as opposed to lay knowledge. They are reflective of a shifting healthcare landscape and evolving expectations on provision and experiences of care services.

Dagens nyheter (DN debatt); (2021), Apr 17, 2021

The conversation, 2019

Fake medicines – illegal and substandard pharmaceuticals – have until now largely been a problem ... more Fake medicines – illegal and substandard pharmaceuticals – have until now largely been a problem in low and middle-income countries. Ranging from lifestyle products to lifesaving medicines, such products are now also on the rise in the Western world. The spread is concerning, as fake medicines can be completely ineffective or extremely toxic.

Problemet med forfalskade lakemedel ar stort globalt. Patienter med svarbedomdasymtom kan ha bive... more Problemet med forfalskade lakemedel ar stort globalt. Patienter med svarbedomdasymtom kan ha biverkningar av sadana. Lakare behover vara mer medvetna om forekomsten av forfalskade lakemedel, och veta hur de ska handskas med problemet.

Background: Substandard and falsified (SF) medical products are available in informal as well as ... more Background: Substandard and falsified (SF) medical products are available in informal as well as formal markets globally. South Africa has a large formal, regulated pharmaceutical sector but there has been limited attention to the existence of SF medical products and the risks posed to people in need of medication. Little is known about individuals’ medicine consumption behaviour, especially from a social sciences perspective. This study presents findings on knowledge and awareness of medicine risks amongst residents in a lower-income community in Khayamnandi in the Western Cape province of South Africa. We also reflect on challenges and lessons learnt from the data collection process.Results:Quantitative and qualitative data, using a mixed-methods approach, were collected from 41 adult (≥18 years) respondents through a survey and audio-recorded discussions around the survey questions. Comparison of the two types of data through bricolage and mixed-methods revealed inconsistencies i...

Pa natet ar det enkelt att kopa falska mediciner och icke fungerande skyddsutrustning mot covid-1... more Pa natet ar det enkelt att kopa falska mediciner och icke fungerande skyddsutrustning mot covid-19. Allmanheten maste goras mer uppmarksamma pa att de kan bli lurade.

Nordic Academic Press, 2012

Culture Unbound: Journal of Current Cultural Research, Nov 9, 2012

Nordic Academic Press (Kriterium) eBooks, Sep 10, 2020

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, Sep 1, 2010

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, Aug 29, 2012

Journal of Community Genetics, Jul 25, 2012

Ethnologia Europaea

Dagens nyheter (DN debatt); (2021), Apr 17, 2021

The conversation, 2019

After four years of queuing on the Swedish list for transplant kidneys, Sam was tired of waiting ... more After four years of queuing on the Swedish list for transplant kidneys, Sam was tired of waiting – he went to Pakistan and bought a new kidney. But where did the new kidney come from? And was the donation of the organ he received really voluntary? In this book, Susanne Lundin explores the murky world of organ trade, where desperate patients like Sam are small pieces in a big puzzle. In her ethnographic work, she tracks exploited farm workers in Moldova, prosecutors in Israel and surgeons in the Philippines. Utilizing unique source material she depicts a rapidly growing organ market characterized by both advanced medical technology and human trafficking.

Eds. Liljefors, Lundin & Wiszmeg , Jan 1, 2013

In The Atomized Body the authors examine the relations between culture, society and bioscientific research and show how our bodies’ singularized atoms indeed still are socially and culturally embedded. In today’s medicine, the biosciences are entangled with state power, commercialism, and cultural ideas and expectations, as well as with the hopes and fears of individuals. Therefore, biomedicine and biotechnology also reshape our perceptions of selfhood and life.

From a multidisciplinary perspective, with authors from art science to ethnology, this volume discusses the biosciences and the atomized body in their social, cultural and philosophical contexts.

Translated, "Gene Technology and the Public. An Interdisciplinary Perspective (eds Susanne Lundin... more Translated, "Gene Technology and the Public. An Interdisciplinary Perspective (eds Susanne Lundin & Malin Ideland), Nordic Academic Press, 2000.
Published in Japanese by Keisui (Japan), 2013

Få forskningsområden överträffar genetiken i fråga om uppmärksamhet under det sena 1990-talet. En... more Få forskningsområden överträffar genetiken i fråga om uppmärksamhet under det sena 1990-talet. En överväldigande mediabevakning har följt forskarna tätt i spåren på jakt efter nya genombrott: människans ålder och ursprung har reviderats, genetiska grunder för livslängd och sjukdomar har analyserats och växtförädlingen revolutionerats.

Följden har blivit en debatt om de etiska och moraliska konsekvenserna av ett ökat genetiskt vetande. Dessutom rymmer genetik och genetikens tillämpning en existensiell dimension: här utforskas människans och livets innersta kärna.

I Arvets kultur undersöker etnologer och genetiker hur människor i dagens Sverige möter och hanterar den moderna genetiken.

En del saker berör människor till den grad att gängse normer och idéer ställs på huvudet. Synen p... more En del saker berör människor till den grad att gängse normer och idéer ställs på huvudet. Synen på kroppen och hälsan är ett sådant fenomen. Den moderna biovetenskapen utgör i det sammanhanget en betydelsefull arena för mötet mellan människors drömmar och samhällets riktlinjer. Här ställs individers önskningar om exempelvis fysiskt välbefinnande mot övergripande värderingar – här formuleras och omformuleras synen på kropp, hälsa och identitet.

I En ny kropp. Essäer om medicinska visioner och personliga val undersöker humanistiska och medicinska forskare samspelet mellan biomedicin, kultur och individ. Den moderna medicinen är en framgångsrik vetenskap med stor genomslagskraft i samhället. Samtidigt utgör biotekniken en kulturell drömmaskin, en tankekonstruktion bestående av goda och onda drömmar. Ur denna smältdegel av vetenskapliga erövringar och enskilda människors förväntningar växer en regelrätt bioteknisk förhoppningsindustri fram.

This book is the outcome of a research project at the Centre for Studies in Practical Knowledge,... more This book is the outcome of a research project at the Centre
for Studies in Practical Knowledge, Södertörn University,
funded by the Baltic Sea Foundation. The main participants
of the project were one philosopher—Fredrik Svenaeus—
one historian—Ulla Ekström von Essen—and three ethnologists—
Martin Gunnarson, Susanne Lundin and Markus
Idvall—from Södertörn University and Lund University,
but we also benefitted from the help and advice of medical
researchers and physicians from the Karolinska Institutet
—Annika Tibell and C. G. Groth—and many other scholars
from Sweden and abroad, especially from the Baltic Sea Region.
You will find some of our collaborators represented
as authors in this volume, but most of them are not on the
list of participants, since they, for ethical reasons, have to
remain anonymous. The persons in question have helped
us with information about and access to practices which are
precarious objects of study—organ transplantation and organ
trade—subjects that are highly sensitive and often hard
to speak about for the people involved. We want to thank
the health care personnel, patients and other persons, who
have generously offered us their time without any other
return than to be able to support the growth of knowledge
and reflection in this field. We hope that this book and other
outcomes of our research project, such as articles in journals
and newspapers, and presentations at conferences and
meetings with the public, will help to build sound political
judgement and policies on organ, tissue and cell donation.
The rules and procedures of organ, tissue and cell transfer
are, indeed, vital, not only in the sense that they concern
who will live and who will die, but also in the sense that
the decisions in question determine how we are to view the
moral essence of human relationships as such. What duties
do we owe to each other regarding the giving away of what is
most intimately ours: our bodies and the organs, tissues and
cells they consist of? And what limits should we set regarding
procuring and transferring the “things” in question?