Biotechnologies in reproductive medicine — Janus-faced challenge

ŠLESINGEROVÁ, Eva. Biotechnologies in reproductive medicine — Janus-faced challenge. In Critical Issues in Science and Technology Studies, Centre for Advanced Studies, Graz University. 2014.

Basic information

• Original name: Biotechnologies in reproductive medicine — Janus-faced challenge
• Name in Czech: Biotechnologie v reprodukční medicíně - Janusovská výzva
• Authors: ŠLESINGEROVÁ, Eva (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Critical Issues in Science and Technology Studies, Centre for Advanced Studies, Graz University, 2014.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Conference abstract
• Field of Study: Archaeology, anthropology, ethnology
• Country of publisher: Austria
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14230/14:00073666
• Organization unit: Faculty of Social Studies
• Keywords (in Czech): biotechnologie reprodukce bioetika
• Keywords in English: biotechnology reproduction bioethics
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

The 2010 European Commission research on the topic of Biotechnology shows that most of European inhabitants are very trusting of expert and scientific knowledge. The most of European citizens tend to believe that the experts, predominantly scientists and doctors, are the ones who should decide about various aspects of biotechnology, and should defend the public interest. Faith in the experts, scientists, and science in general is also confirmed by the data from my research. From the sociological point of view the paper analyses the ART treatment, particularly prenatal testing and using of biotechnologies, as example of specific biopolitical rationality, biosociality or concept of science as culture (Rose, Rabinow, Franklin) which have emerged in current reproductive medicine in the last years. The category of biosecurity with reference to the issues of prenatal testing, is part of a practice that is intended to help avoiding birth defects or enabling the enhancement of embryos. However, in the ambivalent janus-faced spirit of the modernistic demand of expert knowledge for definition, recording, representation and administration, a new type of risk and bioethical questions are generated. According to Rayana Rapp, new technologies in reproductive medicine create the possibilities for new types of treatment and enhancement, and also for new types of risk and danger, but without the possibility of reflecting on the entire process. An ethnographical and narrative analysis of Czech genomics and reproductive medicine field concerning the popular/scientific representations of human genomics are concerned. Particularly interviews with genetics, embryologists, IVF process actors as well are analysed.

Abstract (in Czech)

Pomocí sociologické perspektivy příspěvek analyzuje proces asistované reprodukce, obzvláště prenatální testování a používání biotechnologií jako příkladu specifické biopolitické racionality, biosociality nebo koncept "vědy jako kultury" (Rose, Rabinow, Franklin), který je součástí současné reprodukční medicíny v posledních letech. The category of biosecurity with reference to the issues of prenatal testing, is part of a practice that is intended to help avoiding birth defects or enabling the enhancement of embryos.

Links

• GAP404/11/0621, research and development project: Name: Porody, asistovaná reprodukce a zacházení s embryi. Sociologická analýza současné reprodukční medicíny v ČR.

Investor: Czech Science Foundation, Childbirth, assisted reproduction, and embryo manipulation. A sociological analysis of current reproductive medicine in