Synthetic biology in society: learning from past experience?

Drawing an analogy to past debates over biotechnology, some stakeholders fear that synthetic biology (SB) could raise public concerns. Accordingly, ‘lessons from the past’ should be applied to avoid controversies. However, biotechnology in the 1990s is not the only possible comparator. The potential to become contested has been attributed to a number of other novel technologies. Looking at nanotechnology for example, controversies have not materialised to the extent predicted. The article discusses factors relevant for controversies over technologies as well as differences to the situation when modern biotechnology began to proliferate. Certain properties attributed to SB in the discussion so far indeed suggest a potential for controversies of its own, but perceptions may follow those on other aspects of biotechnology subject to local contingencies. Finally, it is questioned whether ELSI research should see its task in applying lessons from the past to ease technology introduction. Today, rather than seeing themselves being embedded in a linear model of technology development, social scientists take an interest in developments ‘upstream’ where technologies take shape

Gestalt structures in multi-person intersubjectivity

In this paper I argue that there are gestalt principles underlying intersubjective interactions and that this means that intersubjective ‘units’, can be recognised as unified gestalt wholes. The nub of the claim is that interactions within a ‘plural subject’ can be perceived by others outside this plural subject. Framed from the first-person perspective: I am able to recognise intersubjective interactions between multiple others who are not me. I argue that the terminology of gestalt structures is helpful in framing and understanding the non-reducible make-up of these relational units. I consequently defend the legitimacy of the claim that we can attend to more than one other person at once, holding multiple others as a single focus of attention insofar as we can attend to multiple others as a gestalt whole. I argue that it is therefore legitimate to talk about attending to, perceiving and addressing multiple others at the same time, in the second-person plural. I argue that this can be identified in the phenomenology of such interactions and in an analysis of the core underlying structures of these interactions

The certified child life specialist: A novel resource in the pediatric primary care clinic for managing children's pain during routine immunizations

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of the Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) on pediatric pain and pain management during routine immunization administration in the pediatric primary care clinic. Children 4–12 years of age (n = 125) presenting for a well child physical examination at a rural primary care clinic were selected to receive standard nursing care or standard nursing care plus CCLS support during routine immunization administration. Patient reported pain was measured using the Faces Pain Scale‐Revised (FPS‐R), and patient behavioral responses were measured during immunization administration using the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale (CEMS). The performance of psychosocial interventions and administration of topical pain‐relieving interventions were measured between both groups. CCLS support was associated with fewer negative emotional behaviors during immunization administration among 7‐ to 12‐year‐old children and a significantly higher provision of psychosocial interventions and topical pain‐relieving interventions among all ages. This study demonstrates that the presence of a CCLS can increase the provision of psychosocial and pain‐relieving interventions and reduce distress during immunization administration in a busy pediatric primary care clinic

The 'national' and the 'cosmos'

Given its potential to aid developments in renewable energy, biosensors, sustainable chemical industries, microbial drug factories and biomedical devices, synthetic biology has enormous implications for economic development. Many countries are therefore implementing strategies to promote progress in this field

Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects

Genetically engineered (GE) crops were first introduced commercially in the 1990s. After two decades of production, some groups and individuals remain critical of the technology based on their concerns about possible adverse effects on human health, the environment, and ethical considerations. At the same time, others are concerned that the technology is not reaching its potential to improve human health and the environment because of stringent regulations and reduced public funding to develop products offering more benefits to society. While the debate about these and other questions related to the genetic engineering techniques of the first 20 years goes on, emerging genetic-engineering technologies are adding new complexities to the conversation. Genetically Engineered Crops builds on previous related Academies reports published between 1987 and 2010 by undertaking a retrospective examination of the purported positive and adverse effects of GE crops and to anticipate what emerging genetic-engineering technologies hold for the future. This report indicates where there are uncertainties about the economic, agronomic, health, safety, or other impacts of GE crops and food, and makes recommendations to fill gaps in safety assessments, increase regulatory clarity, and improve innovations in and access to GE technology.https://scholarship.richmond.edu/bookshelf/1238/thumbnail.jp