Race in Epidemiology and Medicine with Sean Valles

Summary

There is renewed research and attention to race in epidemiology and medicine, partly owing to developments in population genetics. Yet race is a contested category and poses philosophical questions about the reality of racial categories as well as the ethical and social-political implications of using them. For instance, is race a social construction; and if so, how do racial categories line up with the world? Perhaps more pressingly, should we be using racial categories in epidemiology and medicine in the first place?

Today’s consultation is with philosopher Sean Valles, Associate Professor at Michigan State University.

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Jonathan Fuller

Jonathan Fuller MD PhD is a philosopher of medicine and Associate Professor in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh. He is co-host of the NBN channel Philosophy of Medicine and a producer of its podcast series 'New Books in Philosophy of Medicine' and 'Philosophers on Medicine'.
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