New book explores fetal knowledge in Sweden, highlighting Lennart Nilsson’s legacy

A new book, Histories of Fetal Knowledge Production in Sweden: Medicine, Politics, and Public Controversy, 1530–2020, edited by Solveig Jülich, professor of History of Science and Ideas at Uppsala University, examines how fetal research and imagery have shaped medicine, ethics, and society in Sweden over five centuries. This multidisciplinary work investigates the handling of fetuses, reproductive organs, and pregnant bodies for scientific and medical purposes, from the development of vaccines to public debates on abortion.

Lennart Nilsson’s iconic images of the developing fetus are central to this historical narrative. This book explores how Nilsson’s groundbreaking photographs influenced visual culture, redefining perceptions of pregnancy and sparking debates on reproductive ethics. The book also explores the public controversies surrounding the use of aborted fetuses in research and the evolving regulations addressing these ethical challenges.

Richly illustrated, the book offers new insights into the intersection of medical science, visual media, and public controversy. From an academic perspective, it underscores the historical impact of Nilsson’s work in understanding reproduction and the human body.