The Embryo Research Debate
Scientific research involving human embryos was a major topic of public debate in Britain during the 1980s. Despite strong support from the scientific community, embryo research was initially condemned by many ordinary people as well as by special interest groups, and came close to being banned by Act of Parliament. Michael Mulkay describes the dynamics of the parliamentary struggle over the future of embryo research, focusing on such issues as: the clash between the anti-abortion and pro-research lobbies; the tactics of the Government; political ideology; the media's role; the importance of gender; religion; the impact of science fiction; the lure of medical advance; and the difficulty of maintaining ethical control. He explains how the advocates of embryo research eventually triumphed, and ends with an examination of the cultural tensions which linger after the debate.
- Non-technical account of embryo research debates, putting them in wider social and historical context
- Examines key issues and arguments deployed in debates including religion, gender, role of the media, influence of science fiction
- No other book combines such subtle understanding of sociology of science with knowledge of the cultural milieu of the debates
- Mulkay very well known sociologist of science
Reviews & endorsements
"Recommended as a resource for science, history, social studies and political science undergraduate courses." R.G. McGee, Jr., Choice
Product details
February 1997Paperback
9780521576833
228 pages
228 × 154 × 14 mm
0.335kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Preface and acknowledgements
- List of abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1. The background to the debate
- 2. The sequence of parliamentary debate
- 3. Political parties and ministerial tactics
- 4. The impact of the pro-research lobby
- 5. Embryos in the news
- 6. Women and men
- 7. Science and religion
- 8. The myth of Frankenstein
- 9. Embryo research and the slippery slope
- Epilogue: intruders in the Fallopian tube or a dream of perfect human reproduction
- Notes
- Index.