Biotechnology and the Politics of Plants: Disciplining Time

Biotechnology and the Politics of Plants explores the ability of certain plants to 'self-clone' and its potential as a revolutionary tool for agriculture and enhancing food security. Matt Hodges traces the development of the CIMMYT Apomixis Project and its reinvention as a leading public-private partnership. He analyzes the historical transition from public sector to agricultural biotechnology and genomics and explores how social contexts of research shape knowledge production and what remains 'unknown'. The book offers an inventive approach informed by anthropology, science and technology studies, and dialogue with Gilles Deleuze, Paul Rabinow, Hannah Arendt, Andrew Pickering, and Eduardo Viveiros de Castro. It contributes to the social scientific literature on genomics and biotechnology and anthropological debates on time and history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 130 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Biotechnology and the Politics of Plants delves into the enigmatic phenomenon of 'apomixis,' the remarkable ability of certain plants to 'self-clone,' presenting a potential game-changer for agriculture and bolstering food security. Matt Hodges, in his comprehensive exploration, traces the historical trajectory of the CIMMYT Apomixis Project, a pioneering research initiative, and its transformation into a prominent public-private partnership. Through a meticulous analysis of the fast-evolving historical shift from traditional public sector, mixed plant breeding approaches rooted in genetics to a contemporary era of agricultural biotechnology and genomics, Hodges uncovers the pivotal role of PPPs in shaping knowledge production. He delves into the intricate interplay between social contexts of research and the shaping of knowledge, as well as the limitations and constraints that hinder the development of 'Apomixis Technology.'

The chapters in this book adopt an innovative approach, drawing from anthropology of time, science and technology studies, and engaging with the works of influential thinkers such as Gilles Deleuze, Paul Rabinow, Hannah Arendt, Andrew Pickering, and Eduardo Viveiros de Castro. Hodges outlines novel ways of integrating concepts of history and becoming, while also considering how apomixis presents an alternative image of thought to theoretical frameworks like the renowned 'rhizome.'

This book makes a significant contribution to the expanding social scientific literature on genomics and biotechnology, as well as the ongoing anthropological debates on time and history. It offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between science, technology, society, and the natural world, paving the way for further exploration and innovation in the fields of agriculture and food security.

Weight: 292g
Dimension: 225 x 180 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138314528