Women in Biotechnology

This is a study of the relationships among women scientists, particularly biotechnologists. It also explores the perspective of other disciplines, seeking to bridge the communication gap between science, the humanities and different feminist groups.

Johannes Klumpers Biotechnologies, such as genetic engineering, cloning and biodiversity, raise many legal and ethical concerns, so it is important that people understand these issues and feel able to express their opinions. This is why the European Commission has been, for a number of years, supporting actions to improve communication among scientists in these diverse areas. The project 'Women in Biotechnology' (WONBIT), financed under the 6th Framework programme of the European Commission, is an excellent example of what can be done to target opinion-formers such as scientists, economists and lawyers in bottom-up activities, and to encourage a debate on gender issues triggered by developments in the life sciences. WONBIT gave rise to a successful international conference highlighting the importance of adopting good practices and ethical considerations in parallel with the rapid pace of progress in biotechnology from a woman's point of view. In particular, the conference addressed women in decision-making positions in b- technology with specific reference to scientific excellence, social competencies and management qualities as well as issues relating to environment, society and the younger generation. But it did not stop there: a key part of the conference was dedicated to stimulating public debate among non-specialists, which has led to a number of recommen- tions to policy-makers on better communication in biotechnology, on taking better account of the gender aspects of research, and on involving more women in the decision-making process that surrounds developments in biotechnology.

View of biotechnology written from women's perspectives Aid to help improve scientists' responsibility to the decision-making processes affecting society at large Encourages dialogue within interdisciplinary sciences and with the scientific community

Klappentext

Women in Biotechnology presents a unique study of the relationships and communications between women scientists, particularly those working in biotechnology. This is achieved by creating interfaces or collecting different points of view over several disciplines (i.e. economy, sociology, biology, genetics) to bridge the communication gap among science, the humanities and different feminist groups.

The publication of this book is the first step in building a new scientific community that shares a common interest in improving the awareness of women scientists who are not an integral part of the decision-making processes in their respective fields. In this respect, Women in Biotechnology endeavours to address the ethical and bio-political implications in the different branches of contemporary research, and to promote the need of women holding decision-making power to consolidate the scientific and social responsibility to all scientists.

Inhalt
Women Scientists in Biotechnological Research.- Heading Blithely Down the Garden Path? Some Entry Points into Current Debates on Women and Biotechnologies.- Seeking A Seat at the Policy Table: Engaging Women in Biotechnology Research and in Decision Making.- Perception and Attitudes Towards Biotechnology in Hungary.- Contribution of Bulgarian Women to Plant Biotechnology: Institute of Genetics Case.- Bodies, Cultures and Scientific Metaphors.- Embryo Transfer: A View from the United Kingdom.- Dividual Systems & Ultraneoteny.- 'Pop-Genes': The Symbolic Effects of the Release of 'Genes' into Ordinary Speech.- The Organizational Construction of the Body in Assisted Reproductive Technologies.- What's in a Name? The Importance of Nomenclature in Biotechnology.- Egg Donation in the UK: Tracing Emergent Networks of Feminist Engagement in Relation to HFEA Policy Shifts in 2006.- Environmental Effects of Biotechnology.- Seeking the New Biotechnological Fix? Public Health Genetics and Environmental Justice Policy in the United States.- Technological Challenges: Asbestos Past Experiences, Nanoparticles Future Developments.- Affective Implications of GM Food on Social and Individual Integrity: An Ethical Approach.- Women's Perceptions of Biotechnologies: The Case of Genetically Modified Foods in Switzerland.- A Transdisciplinary Approach to Face the Plant Gene Transfer Technique: From Laboratory to Society.- Facing Impact: Society and Biotechnology.- Gender and Justice in the Gene Age: The Challenges Presented by Reproductive and Genetic Biotechnologies.- Health Risks and Benefits from Biotechnology.- Biodiversity of Romania Stressed by Transgenic Cultures?.- The Social and Economic Impact of GM Crops: The Case of the Herbicide Tolerance Trait.