Ethnicity and Screening for Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia

This publication of the Unit for the Social Study of Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell of De Montfort University, United Kingdom is a book that uses sickle cell screening policies to explore the contested relationship between ‘race’ and genes, and is based on interviews with sickle cell counsellors. This book asks what types of ethnicity information are relevant for health professionals to ask as part of the recently formalised screening process - and why.

Through extensive use of interview material, the book draws upon the experiences of sickle cell and thalassaemia counsellors who have been at the forefront of understanding in this area. The book:

• "Demonstrates how best practice for screening in a multi-ethnic society requires us to better understand the myth of ‘races’, the meanings of concepts such as ethnicity and racialisation, and the relation of racism to issues of citizenship, immigration, asylum and nationality.
• Shows how learning from best practice for screening could be a model for developing cultural competency across all types of health care provision.
• Clarifies, through the use of the biologically-grounded exemplar of sickle cell and thalassaemia, debates of ‘race’ and ethnicity for those working in social sciences.
• Listens to the voices of experience and validates the hitherto unacknowledged achievements of professional women from minoritised ethnic groups."