ESRC Genomics Network - Transforming nature

Research

Transforming nature

Transforming nature is one of four EGN research programmes designed to present scientifically informed and policy-relevant research to key UK and international audiences. This theme focuses on issues relating to the way in which the contemporary life sciences permit novel forms of human intervention in “nature”. For example, a lot of attention has been paid to the genetic modification of plants and animals, which allows genes from one species to be incorporated into the genome of entirely different other species – from a fish into a plant for example. But GMOs are the not the whole story: it is now possible to create entire viruses from basic molecular components. And stem-cell techniques mean that, potentially, all farm animals could be clones of particular “champion” parents. Research in this stream examines these approaches to transforming nature – including human nature – and at the same time asks how these changes affect our very idea of what “nature” and “naturalness” are.

Project Topics include:

Therapies and Enhancements – enhancements to people and animals through stem-cell techniques, tissue engineering, genetic modification and mitochondrial genetics.

Transgenic organisms and new techniques for transformation including apomixis.

The Implementation of Genomics-related Transformations – a comparative analysis of transformations and implementation pathways in new techniques including nano-biotechnology, synthetic biology and stem cells, and a comparison between animal cloning and plant genetic modification.

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A Science and Technology Study on Newly Emerging Diagnostic Technologies in Agriculture: Exploring Attitudes, Behaviours and Wider Social Impacts
Ann Bruce

Animal Biotechnology as a liberatory imaginary
Richard Twine

Animal cloning and genetic modification: A prospective study
Ann Bruce

Animals and Genomics
Dr Matthew Harvey

Barcoding Nature: Shifting taxonomic practices in an age of biodiversity loss
Claire Waterton

Bio-knowledge economies, publics, and sustainable innovation
Theme leader: Brian Wynne and Co-leader: Ruth McNally

Biodiversity
Paul Oldham, Oscar Forero

Genetics, genomics and genetic modification in agriculture: emerging knowledge-practices in making and managing farm livestock (2003-2006)
Carol Morris

Genomics and the Politics of Identity
Christine Hauskeller

Genomics in relation to agriculture and development (2004-2008)
Steve Hughes

In Vitro Meat in Context
Neil Stephens