| Endocrinology and expectations in 1930s America: Louis Berman's ideas on new creations in human beings. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 17575959 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
In the first half of the twentieth century, hormones took pride of place as life's master molecules and the endocrinologist took precedence over the geneticist as the scientist offering the means to control life. But, as with molecular genetics and biotechnology today, the status of endocrinology was not based solely on contemporary scientific and medical practices. To a high degree it was also reliant on expectations or visions of what endocrinologists would soon be able to do. Inspired by the approach of social studies of techno-scientific expectations, the aim of this article is to explore some of the great expectations connected to the development of endocrinology in the 1930s. The analysis is based on popular books written by the American physician and endocrinologist Louis Berman. The paper argues that Berman thought not only that it was perfectly possible to understand human nature through hormone analysis but that endocrinologists would be able to control, design and 'improve' humans by using hormone replacement therapy. Furthermore, in contrast to most of the eugenics of his time, Berman suggested that the whole population of the world should be improved. As a political activist he wanted to contribute to the development of new human beings, 'ideal normal persons', thereby reaching an 'ideal society'. That HRT could involve risks was something that he seems not to have taken into account. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Christer Nordlund |
Related Documents
:
|
18055899 - The declaration of sydney on human death. 7120059 - Medicated tampons: intravaginal sustained administration of metronidazole and in vitro-... 22277399 - Diagnosis and therapies of refractory migraine. 12762889 - Human horns: a historical review and clinical correlation. 487819 - Comparison of segmented polyether urethane with polyethylene iuds in rabbits. 21371989 - Subdividing the digital divide: differences in internet access and use among rural resi... 11183459 - Analysis of medical needs on day 7 after the tsunami disaster in papua new guinea. 18834369 - Medicines for chronic illness at school: experiences and concerns of young people and t... 10145549 - Budget model can aid group practice planning. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Biography; Historical Article; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: British journal for the history of science Volume: 40 ISSN: 0007-0874 ISO Abbreviation: Br J Hist Sci Publication Date: 2007 Mar |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2007-06-19 Completed Date: 2007-06-22 Revised Date: 2009-11-11 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 0144554 Medline TA: Br J Hist Sci Country: England |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 83-104 Citation Subset: QIS |
Affiliation:
|
Department of Historical Studies, Umeå University, SE 901 87 Umeå, Sweden. christer.nordlund@histstud.umu.se |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Endocrinology
/
history* Eugenics / history History, 19th Century History, 20th Century Hormone Replacement Therapy / history* Humans Philosophy / history United States |
| Personal Name Subject | |
Personal Name Subject:
|
Louis Berman |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Peace propaganda and biomedical experimentation: influential uses of radioisotopes in endocrinology ...
Next Document: Role of primary care physicians in the influenza pandemic