JOURNAL ARTICLE

People on Floors: Creating Relics Out of Medical Waste.

  • Published In: Perspectives in Biology & Medicine, 2024, v. 67, n. 4. P. 556 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Konerman-Sease, Jaime 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines three debates over the nature of human specimens: anatomical dissection in Victorian Britain the question of ownership over Henrietta Lacks's cells and recent debates over how to treat remnants of abortion. These cases reveal that specimens are deeply connected to human persons and should be considered with a particular kind of care. The author uses Andrew Solomon's concept of horizontal kinship to support reframing medical waste as "relics"—objects of veneration interpreted as revealing truth about the human experience. Envisioning medical waste as relics allows us to wonder at the ability of the body to provide transformative knowledge which leads to practices of appreciation to honor the sacrifices of the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Perspectives in Biology & Medicine. 2024/10, Vol. 67, Issue 4, p556
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0031-5982
  • DOI:10.1353/pbm.2024.a942078
  • Accession Number:180726464
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Perspectives in Biology & Medicine is the property of Johns Hopkins University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.