Work In
Progress Seminar

From Bear to Bile: The Commodification of Animals in ‘Chinese Medicine

Ms.Elizabeth Chee

18th September 2014, 6pm

Level 1 Common Lounge

Register at dev-tembusu-nus.pantheonsite.io

My doctoral dissertation aims to explain the increasing use of animal parts in ‘Chinese medicine’. Bear bile has been touted by Chinese pharmaceutical companies as effective for a number of ailments. Despite such claims, bear farming has become increasingly controversial in the last few decades. Outside China, endangered species are dwindling to be used for these purported healing properties. This project is the first academic attempt to reveal the origins of animal-based medicines. My working thesis is that Mao Zedong’s aim to build a pharmaceutical industry contributed to the rise in animal farming for medicinal purposes, a story I follow the 1980’s.