The Human Genome Project: an examination of its challenge to the technological imperative.
Increasingly scientists and governmental policymakers find themselves leaving their laboratories and office cubicles to share information and decision making with the general public. Contributing in large part to the development of science communication via the mass media has been the Human Genome Project (HGP). Examining the development of the HGP in the United States beginning with the early 1970s helps to establish why and how the general public has become a major player in science policy in the United States during the past quarter century, especially in regard to the ethical, legal, and social implications of research on human genetics. Calling into question the technological imperative--the idea that all things scientific must be pursued without question--the general public came to realize that exerting control over research funding is the key to participating in the scientific process.
Koski
Cheryl A
CA
Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Science Journalism Program, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue South, FCT 204, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5016, USA. koskica@stpt.usf.edu
D001290:Attitude; D003142:Communication; D003146:Communications Media / Q000266:history; D003256:Community Participation; D005380:Financing, Government; D049673:History, 20th Century; D016045:Human Genome Project / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics* / Q000266:history; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.) / Q000191:economics*; D011050:Policy Making; D011639:Public Opinion; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012586:Science; D014481:United States