Philosophy and Revolutions in Genetics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Introduction

   • Keekok Lee

   Pages 1-3

3. Living Organisms: Their Philosophical Transformation from Natural to Artefactual Beings

   • Keekok Lee

   Pages 4-42

4. Philosophy, Modern Science and Modern Technology

   • Keekok Lee

   Pages 43-82

5. Biotic Artefacts: Mendelian Genetics and Hybridisation

   • Keekok Lee

   Pages 83-111

6. Biotic Artefacts: Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology

   • Keekok Lee

   Pages 112-144

7. Biotechnology and Patentability

   • Keekok Lee

   Pages 145-182

8. Homo Faber: The Humanisation of Biotic Nature and the Naturalisation of Humans

   • Keekok Lee

   Pages 183-212

9. Conclusion

   • Keekok Lee

   Pages 213-216

10. Back Matter

    Pages 217-236

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The last century saw two great revolutions in genetics; the development of classic Mendelian theory and the discovery and investigation of DNA. Each fundamental scientific discovery in turn generated its own distinctive technology. Biotechnology is the offspring of the latter and is expected to be the driving force behind economic growth in the twenty-first century. These two case studies enable the author to conduct a philosophical exploration of the relationship between fundamental scientific discoveries on the one hand, and the technologies that spring from them on the other. As such it is also an exercise in the philosophy of technology.

• development
• economic growth
• exercise
• genetics
• growth
• hybridization
• nature
• philosophy
• revolution
• scientific discovery
• technology
• transformation

'...this book presents a unique take on the new genetics and biotechnology.' - J. A. Kegley, Choice

• Institute for the Environment, Philosophy & Public Policy, University of Lancaster, UK

  Keekok Lee

KEEKOK LEE is currently Visiting Chair in Philosophy at the Institute for Environment, Philosophy and Public Policy, Lancaster University. Her research interests include environmental philosophy, philosophy of technology, and the relationship between the environment and technology from the ontological perspective. Published works include The Natural and the Artefactual (1999) and Social Philosophy and Ecological Scarcity (1989).

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