Unit:
Department of History and Philosophy of ScienceLibrary of the School of Science
Author:
Pateraki Marianthi
Dissertation committee:
1. Αριστοτέλης Τύμπας, Καθηγητής, ΙΦΕ, ΕΚΠΑ (μέλος τριμελούς επιτροπής, επιβλέπων)
2. Θόδωρος Αραμπατζής, Καθηγητής, ΙΦΕ, ΕΚΠΑ (μέλος τριμελούς επιτροπής)
3. Βασίλης Γαλής, Aναπληρωτής Kαθηγητής, IT University Copenhagen (μέλος τριμελούς επιτροπής)
4. Γεώργιος Κουρουπέτρογλου, Kαθηγητής, Τμήμα Πληροφορικής και Τηλεπικοινωνιών, ΕΚΠΑ
5. Θεόδωρος Παπαϊωάννου, Kαθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
6. Laura Mauldin, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, University of Connecticut, USA
7. Σταύρος Ιωαννίδης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, ΙΦΕ, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Experiencing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in Greece: Between Curative Imaginary and Bionic Incorporation
Translated title:
Experiencing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in Greece: Between Curative Imaginary and Bionic Incorporation
Summary:
In this dissertation, I focus on a core neuromodulation technology, DBS, applied to PD patients. This technology is surrounded by a techno-optimistic rhetoric that gives rise to unrealistic expectations to patients and their families. The prospect of regaining control of the bodymind, and to be “functional” again, stands in the core of this rhetoric. I argue, in this thesis, that DBS portrayal as a “technological fix”, allowing a seamless continuation of “the life before PD”, performs a “black-boxing” process. Rendering technology opaque, this process elides the numerous entanglements which DBS and the implanted person is dependent upon, as well as the contingencies of cyborgization. In this study, by conducting field-research, I open that black-box, making the entanglements of cyborg bodyminds visible.
Initially, I focus on accessibility to DBS in the Greek context. In my effort to make the complexities surrounding technology clear and visible, I initially examine the implementation of DBS in the framework of the National Healthcare System, and I show how to become, to live, and to remain a cyborg involves a series of dependencies, on human and nonhuman elements. I show then, the contingencies involved in the process of cyborgization.
Next, I examine the multiplicity of embodiments of implanted bodyminds generated within this process. There, challenging the linearity of the alleged return to functionality of the chronically ill person, I show that the cyborg experiences are multiple. Instead of a dualism between “diseased” and “healthy” states, I show a whole array of embodiments. In this context, I stress the polyvalence of the cyborg experiences within multiple temporalities.
The study of cyborg experiences, then proceeds to a deeper layer. Under the skin neuromodulation technologies don’t guarantee normal functioning or transparency, while strong emotions can affect bionic incorporation. Emotions can shatter, or not, a successful incorporation of technology.
Finally, contesting the “autonomy” of PD patients after the implantation, turning to caring practices, I show how implanted bodyminds become entrapped in other webs of dependencies. Furthermore, I argue that, as caring for cyborgs involves the maintenance of their technological parts, the boundaries between care and maintenance become blurred.
Main subject category:
Science
Other subject categories:
General works
Keywords:
Deep brain stimulation (DBS), Parkinson’s disease (PD), cyborg, accessibility, care, maintenance, temporalities, curative imaginary
Number of references:
356
File:
File access is restricted until 2027-07-18.
Pateraki Dissertation --2022.pdf
16 MB
File access is restricted until 2027-07-18.
