| Summary: | In this essay, the author invites his anthropological colleagues to develop their function of critical and ethical vigilance, particularly in regard to recent developments in molecular biology. His argument follows three paths. Firstly, he examines a number of ways through which genomics and proteomics impact on the clinical practice in creating a powerful predictive medicine that leads to new definitions of disease and health. Secondly, he argues that medical anthropologists should upgrade and make more complex their classical culturalist models in order to better explore the many layers of factors involved in the genesis of the new prevalent pathologies such as overweight and obesity. Thirdly, he proposes a turn in the practice of medical anthropology that should become more concerned by questions of social inequality, social justice and equity. Building on these three pillars, the author argues that medical anthropology will be in a stronger position to contribute to the construction of a new humanism adjusted to our age.
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