Biotechnology: Between Commerce and Civil Society

New scientific knowledge is no longer merely the key to unlocking the secrets of nature and society. It now represents the becoming” of a new world. Scientific developments affect the ways in which we conduct our affairs, as well as how we comprehend the changes underway as the result of novel technical artifacts and scientific knowledge. Debates on biotechnology shift between images of utopia and dystopia. The social sciences deserve a voice in the debate, and can do so through sober examination of the economic, social, and cultural implications of biotechnology. The contributors to this volume are drawn from a broad spectrum of the social sciences, making it a viable and valuable resource.