Cells and Surveys

What can social science, and demography in particular, reasonably expect to learn from biological information? There is increasing pressure for multipurpose household surveys to collect biological data along with the more familiar interviewer-respondent information. Given that recent technical developments have made it more feasible to collect biological information in non-clinical settings, those who fund, design, and analyze survey data need to think through the rationale and potential consequences. This is a concern that transcends national boundaries. Cells and Surveys addresses issues such as which biologic/genetic data should be collected in order to be most useful to a range of social scientists and whether amassing biological data has unintended side effects. The book also takes a look at the various ethical and legal concerns that such data collection entails. Table of Contents

• Front Matter
• Collecting Biological Indicators in Household Surveys
• Integrating Biology into Demographic Research on Health and Aging (With a Focus on the MacArthur Study of Successful Aging)
• Biological Material in Household Surveys: The Interface Between Epidemiology and Genetics
• Demography in the Age of Genomics: A First Look at the Prospects
• The Value of Sibling and Other 'Relational' Data for Biodemography and Genetic Epidemiology
• Opportunities for Population-Based Research on Aging Human Subjects: Pathology and Genetics
• Indicators of Function in the Geriatric Population
• Biomarkers and Genetics of Aging Mice
• Relevence of Animal Models for Human Populations
• Applying Genetic Study Designs to Social and Behavioral Population Surveys
• Stretching Social Surveys to Include Bioindicators: Possibilities for the Health and Retirement Study, Experience from the Taiwan Study of the Elderly
• Informed Consent for the Collection of Biological Samples in Household Surveys
• Ethical and Social Issues in Incorporating Genetic Research into Survey Studies
• Biosocial Opportunities for Surveys
• Suggested Readings
• Glossary
• Index