This thesis examines the Soviet AIDS epidemic as a social and political crisis rather than solely a medical one. Through newspapers, diaries, and government documents, the research reveals how AIDS contributed to growing public distrust in Soviet institutions and became part of the broader crises preceding the collapse of the Soviet Union.

This research examines how early modern German societies debated human identity through cases of atypical bodies. Religious, legal, and medical perspectives intersected to define personhood and normality. These historical debates shaped rights and inclusion, offering insights into contemporary bioethics and how societies determine what it means to be human.

This research examines historical struggles over who controls medical devices in the United States. Using cases like the open-source “EpiPencil,” it traces twentieth-century conflicts among doctors, engineers, industry, and government. The study challenges linear progress narratives and shows how shifting claims to expertise shape medical technology and authority.