Stanford Center for
Biomedical Ethics

Nancy Press: Phenotypes, Social Constructionism, and the Spurious Finding

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About Dr. Press

Professor of Medical Anthropology, Oregon Health and Science University

Nancy Press, PhD received a BA degree in social psychology from Sarah Lawrence College, a PhD in cultural anthropology from Duke University, and postdoctoral training in medical anthropology through an NIMH fellowship done at UCLA. Dr. Press' research has focused on reproductive genetic testing, about which she has written from feminist, disability and health policy perspectives, and genetic testing for adult onset disorders, especially breast cancer, where her written work has particularly explored sharing of information with genetic and social families. Press' empirical research generally uses a mixed methods approach, blending qualitative and quantitative analysis of semi-structured interviews, participant-observation, and investigator-devised scales. Press also has expertise in normative projects. Most recently, she was a participant in a Hastings Center project on behavioral genetics, Creating Tools for a Public Discussion of Behavioral Genetics, which brought together biological scientists, social scientists, philosophers, lawyers, and members of the media together to explore ways to craft a public conversation about behavioral genetics. Press is co-editor of the Johns Hopkins University Press volume that is the product of this project. Dr. Press is currently a Professor in the Schools of Nursing and Medicine at the Oregon Health & Science University.

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