HUMAN GENOME DIVERSITY PROJECT: AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF SCIENTIFIC PRACTICE (Cambridge Studies in Society and the Life Sciences)

Book Details

• Author: Amade M'Charek

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

• Binding: Paperback

• ISBN: 9780521539876

• Pages: 224

• Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.0 x 0.6 inches

• Release Date: 20-01-2005

About the Book

The Human Genome Diversity Project: An Ethnography of Laboratory Practices by Amade M'Charek provides a detailed ethnographic account of the Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP), focusing on the scientific practices within the laboratories involved in mapping genetic diversity. This book delves into the ethical, social, and scientific controversies surrounding the project and examines the intersection of science, race, and genetics.

Key Themes:

• Ethnography of Science: M'Charek spent a year conducting participant observation in two laboratories involved in the HGDP, offering a first-hand look at laboratory practices and daily routines in the context of genetic research.

• Controversies Surrounding HGDP: The project, launched in 1991, quickly became controversial for its focus on isolated and indigenous populations. Critics accused it of racism and "bad science," raising important questions about the ethical implications of such genetic research.

• Standardization and Naturalization: The book explores how the tools and technologies used in genetic research contribute to the production of knowledge, addressing issues of normativity and standardization within the life sciences.

• Social Implications of Genetics: Drawing from social science perspectives, M'Charek links laboratory practices to broader social debates about race, identity, and the politics of scientific research in contemporary life sciences.