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Interpreting genetics in the context of eating disorders: evidence of disease, not diversity.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Easter, M
Published in: Sociol Health Illn
July 2014

How is genetic involvement interpreted for disorders whose medicalisation is contested? Framing psychiatric and behavioural disorders in terms of genetics is expected to make them seem more medical. Yet a genetic aetiology can also be used to frame behaviour as acceptable human variation, rather than a medical problem (for example, sexual orientation). I analyse responses to the idea that there is a genetic component in anorexia and bulimia nervosa (AN or BN) via semi-structured interviews with a sample of 50 women diagnosed with an eating disorder (25 had recovered). All but three volunteered that genetics would medicalise AN or BN by (i) making eating disorders seem more like 'real diseases'; implying that these disorders need (ii) professional treatment or (iii) a biologically based treatment. The results also indicate there are several counter-logics by which genetic framing could support non-medical definitions of AN or BN. I argue that genetic framing reduces perceived individual responsibility, which can support definitions of behaviour as either a reflection of disease (which entails intervention) or a reflection of normal human diversity (which does not). In the context of public scepticism as to the 'reality' of AN or BN, genetic involvement was taken as evidence of disease in ongoing negotiations about the medical and moral status of people with eating disorders.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Sociol Health Illn

DOI

EISSN

1467-9566

Publication Date

July 2014

Volume

36

Issue

6

Start / End Page

840 / 855

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Medicalization
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Behavior
  • Female
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Easter, M. (2014). Interpreting genetics in the context of eating disorders: evidence of disease, not diversity. Sociol Health Illn, 36(6), 840–855. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.12108
Easter, Michele. “Interpreting genetics in the context of eating disorders: evidence of disease, not diversity.Sociol Health Illn 36, no. 6 (July 2014): 840–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.12108.
Easter, Michele. “Interpreting genetics in the context of eating disorders: evidence of disease, not diversity.Sociol Health Illn, vol. 36, no. 6, July 2014, pp. 840–55. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/1467-9566.12108.
Journal cover image

Published In

Sociol Health Illn

DOI

EISSN

1467-9566

Publication Date

July 2014

Volume

36

Issue

6

Start / End Page

840 / 855

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Medicalization
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Behavior
  • Female