HIGH‐RISK WORKERS OR HIGH‐RISK WORK? GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY POLICIES IN THE HAZARDOUS WORKPLACE

Abstract

The problem of workers at risk should be reframed to reflect the impact of social stratification, power relations and divergent interests in occupational health practices. The past two decades have seen rapid developments in technology for detecting genetic traits and abnormalities in individuals that may indicate damage from chemical exposure. Occupational physicians, industrial managers and biomedical scientists increasingly favour this technology. However these methods have only selective appeal and are quite controversial. Their accuracy in identifying high‐risk workers is disputed as well as their value and consequences. Social factors that shape the way workers at risk have been defined are discussed. These social processes help to explain the way issues of risk are framed and industrial practices are conducted. They also explain patterns of support and opposition to genetic technology.

Citation

Draper, E. (1986), "HIGH‐RISK WORKERS OR HIGH‐RISK WORK? GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY POLICIES IN THE HAZARDOUS WORKPLACE", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 6 No. 4, pp. 12-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb013020