Humanitarianism from Below: Sowa Rigpa, the Traditional Pharmaceutical Industry, and Global Health. Issue 2 (17th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kloos, Stephan
• Is Part Of: Medical anthropology. Volume 39:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 167
• Page End: 181
• Publication Date: 2020-02-17
• Subjects: Asian medical industries -- global health -- globalization -- humanitarianism -- Sowa Rigpa -- Tibetan medicine; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1080/01459740.2019.1587423
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-9740

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this article I explore, for the first time, the relationship between Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan medicine) and global health, tracing "the global" in ethical discourses and pharmaceutical innovation practices of Tibetan medical practitioners. I argue that Sowa Rigpa's engagement with the world and its global health activities outside China can be understood as a form of "humanitarianism from below, " while its industrialization in China aligns with global health in different ways. In providing new insights into recent developments of Sowa Rigpa, I aim to decenter the notion of humanitarianism and contribute to a broader understanding of global health. Abstract :