The Maternal Imprint: The Contested Science of Maternal-Fetal Effects

Name: The Maternal Imprint: The Contested Science of Maternal-Fetal Effects
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Book Synopsis: Leading gender and science scholar Sarah S. Richardson charts the untold history of the idea that a woman's health and behavior during pregnancy can have long-term effects on her descendants' health and welfare. The idea that a woman may leave a biological trace on her gestating offspring has long been a commonplace folk intuition and a matter of scientific intrigue, but the form of that idea has changed dramatically over time. Beginning with the advent of modern genetics at the turn of the twentieth century, biomedical scientists dismissed any notion that a mother—except in cases of extreme deprivation or injury—could alter her offspring’s traits. Consensus asserted that a child’s fate was set by a combination of its genes and post-birth upbringing. Over the last fifty years, however, this consensus was dismantled, and today, research on the intrauterine environment and its effects on the fetus is emerging as a robust program of study in medicine, public health, psychology, evolutionary biology, and genomics. Collectively, these sciences argue that a woman’s experiences, behaviors, and physiology can have life-altering effects on offspring development. Tracing a genealogy of ideas about heredity and maternal-fetal effects, this book offers a critical analysis of conceptual and ethical issues—in particular, the staggering implications for maternal well-being and reproductive autonomy—provoked by the striking rise of epigenetics and fetal origins science in postgenomic biology today.

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Discover the groundbreaking insights of The Maternal Imprint: The Contested Science of Maternal-Fetal Effects. This captivating book, written by renowned gender and science scholar Sarah S. Richardson, unveils the untold history of how a woman's health and behavior during pregnancy can shape her descendants' well-being for generations to come.

For years, the idea that a mother could leave a biological trace on her gestating offspring has fascinated both ordinary people and scientists alike. However, it wasn't until recently that substantial evidence began to dismantle the prevailing belief that a child's fate was solely determined by its genes and post-birth environment.

Today, cutting-edge research from disciplines such as medicine, public health, psychology, evolutionary biology, and genomics reveals that a woman's experiences, behaviors, and physiology can have profound effects on her child's development. The insights provided in The Maternal Imprint shed light on the transformative power of the intrauterine environment.

Embark on a journey through history as Sarah S. Richardson traces the genealogy of ideas about heredity and maternal-fetal effects. Be prepared to delve into the conceptual and ethical issues raised by the rise of epigenetics and fetal origins science in today's postgenomic biology. This thought-provoking analysis will challenge your understanding of maternal well-being and reproductive autonomy.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between a mother and her unborn child. Explore the thought-provoking pages of The Maternal Imprint: The Contested Science of Maternal-Fetal Effects and embrace the knowledge that can shape the future of your family's health and welfare.

Unlock a world of knowledge and secure your copy of The Maternal Imprint now.

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