The Risks of Medical Innovation: Risk Perception and Assessment in Historical Context

The risks involved in introducing new drugs and devices are amongst the most discussed issues of modern medicine.

Presenting a new way of thinking about these issues, this volume considers risk and medical innovation from a social historical perspective, and studies specific cases of medical innovation, including X-rays, the pill and Thalidomide, in their respective contexts.

International cases are examined through the lens of a particular set of shared questions - highlighting differences,...