Matrix of Stem Cell Research: An Approach to Rethinking Science in Society

Stem cell research has been a controversial topic for twenty years, involving ethics, industries, jurisprudence, and markets. This book offers a multidisciplinary and intersectional approach to understanding this science in its relation to society, with contributions from researchers in humanities and laboratory research to various social sciences. It highlights normative and epistemological intersections and presents state-of-the-art examinations from senior and junior scholars. The book is an excellent resource for science and society courses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Stem cell research has been a contentious and complex endeavor that has garnered significant attention over the past two decades. This research involves a wide range of stakeholders, including laboratories, clinics, researchers, ethics experts, industries, jurists, and market participants. While stem cell research has the potential to bring about new therapies and improve healthcare outcomes, it has also sparked ethical debates and controversies.

The matrix approach introduced in this book offers a fresh perspective on stem cell research in its relationship with society. The contributions in this volume are multidisciplinary and intersectional, highlighting the reciprocal relationship between science and society. They illustrate how scientific advancements can influence societal norms and values, while societal factors can shape scientific research agendas.

Conceptually, this volume provides a situated and reflexive approach for philosophy and sociology of the life sciences. Stem cell research involves diverse practices and concepts that are often dispersed and difficult to connect. There are ongoing challenges in validating research findings, and the ontology of stem cells remains elusive. The array of applications in stem cell research has led to the development of a growing bioeconomy, which relies on patient donations of tissues and embryos, consumer demand, and industrial support.

In this volume, it is argued that stem cell research should be viewed as a flexible web of intersecting practices, discourses, and agencies rather than a specific field. The book presents recent findings from researchers who have delved into various aspects of this matrix of stem cell research. These findings shed light on the complex dynamics and interactions within this research ecosystem.

The volume also includes state-of-the-art examinations from senior and junior scholars in disciplines ranging from humanities to laboratory research and various social sciences. These scholars explore particular normative and epistemological intersections within stem cell research, highlighting the ethical and philosophical considerations that arise.

This book will appeal to scholars and wider audiences interested in developments in life sciences. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on stem cell research, offering valuable insights into the ethical, social, and scientific dimensions of this field.

Weight: 360g
Dimension: 178 x 232 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367726836