The author presents a critique of the prevailing genetic determinism in part of the genetic research, based on a revision of its main historical landmarks, resorting to the works of authors such as Kay and Lewontin, among others. Building on this delimitation, she examines the discussions on the possibility of an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), including attempts to identify possible risk markers for it, including the discussion of the very diagnostic and taxonomic difficulties of DA, in particular of the termed late onset form. The author emphasizes the extent that current causal theories (relevant to the idea of early diagnosis) downplay or even omit the role of social factors in the onset of AD. She then outlines the diverse and conflicting findings on possible genetic risk markers for AD, which, even with meager results, still lead to the production of tests for their detection. Finally, the author examines in detail the REVEAL project, of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), currently under way, which aims to identify the APOE gen in the general American population. The article concludes with a description of the subjective repercussions in the subjects that participated in that test.
Alzheimer's Disease; Medical Anthropology; genetics; science studies