The Atomized Body: The Cultural Life of Stem Cells, Genes, and Neurons

Referring to the focus of the biosciences on molecular "particles" of the human biology, such as stem cells, genes, and neurons, this account examines the relationships between culture, society, and bioscientific research. Showing that the atomized body is indeed socially and culturally embedded, in plural and complex ways, it argues that biomedicine and biotechnology do not only intersect with the human body, but also reshape our perceptions of selfhood and life. From a multidisciplinary perspective, this volume explores the biosciences and the atomized body in their social, cultural, and philosophical contexts.

Max Liljefors is an associate professor of art history and visual studies at Lund University in Sweden.

Susanne Lundin is a professor in ethnology at Lund University and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. She is the editor of Amalgamations and Gene Technology and Economy.

Andréa Wiszmeg is a PhD in ethnology at Lund University. She examines societal and cultural implications of neurological and genetic research for patients and the public.