Socio-cultural effects of biomedicalisation - an example of LCHAD deficiency in the Kashubian population

Abstract

Biomedicalisation is related to the development of medicine, especially in the area of newtechnologies. A prominent role in this context is played by genetic research. One of the diseaseswhich have been identified as result of the development of genetic research is the LCHADdeficiency. This disease quite commonly occurs in Europe, in the countries of the Baltic Sea basin,and especially in Poland – among the Kashubians. I analyse the socio-cultural effects of thisdisease, popularly known as the “Kashubian gene”, based on the data gathered duringethnographic research conducted with this ethno-regional group between 2016-2017, as well ason the analysis of press and internet publications. I show that biomedicalisation is a complex,multidimensional, and ambiguous process. On the one hand, screening tests save lives byenabling early detection of the disease and its treatment. On the other hand, the effects ofbiomedicalisation extend beyond the original goal of diagnosis and treatment. Biomedicalisationaffects the management of genetic risk and is an element of control over one’s own destiny. Iargue that by identifying the LCHAD deficiency in the Kashubian population, genetics affectsthe image, stereotype, relations and social behaviour of this group. Genetic disease becomes akind of a stigma and a spoiled identity. I show that Kashubians do not yield to the effects ofbiomedicalisation, pointing out the stigmatising character of the term “Kashubian gene”, and alsochallenging the socio-cultural interpretation of the cause of the frequent occurrence of this disease,as given by the medical professionals (who point to endogamy and insufficient influx ofoutsiders).