Literature, Science, and Public Policy: From Darwin to Genomics

Literature, Science, and Public Policy explores how literature can influence public policy concerning scientific controversies, offering practical steps for humanists to shape policy and vivid readings of novels that illustrate the insights that literary studies can bring to debates about science and society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Literature, Science, and Public Policy explores the profound influence that literature can wield in shaping public policy concerning scientific controversies, particularly in the realm of genetics and other interdisciplinary fields. By delving into the rich tapestry of human experiences, literature offers unique insights into complex issues such as cloning, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), gene editing, and more. Through the art of storytelling, literature brings these topics to life, revealing their full human complexity and emotional dimensions.

The value of literature in public policy is exemplified by a remarkable historical trajectory. From the literary responses to evolution in the Victorian era to the modern synthesis of evolution and genetics in the mid-twentieth century, literature has played a crucial role in shaping public attitudes and understanding. Today, with the advent of genomics, literature continues to be a powerful tool for shaping public discourse and policy decisions.

This book serves as a valuable resource for humanists who are passionate about contributing to the shaping of public policy. It provides practical guidance for those who wish to engage with scientific controversies and advocate for ethical and socially responsible solutions. Through vivid readings of novels by renowned authors such as H. G. Wells, H. Rider Haggard, Aldous Huxley, Robert Heinlein, Octavia Butler, Samuel R. Delany, David Mitchell, Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Kazuo Ishiguro, Gary Shteyngart, and others, this book showcases the important insights that literary studies can bring to debates about science and society.

Moreover, this title is available as Open Access on Cambridge Core, ensuring that its insights and arguments reach a wider audience and contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the intersection of literature, science, and public policy.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009263528