Dr Jekyll's DNA found - is Hyde in the clear?
Released: 18 November 2009
Tonight (Wednesday 18 November 2009), Edinburgh based authors Ian Rankin and Lin Anderson will join science and technology expert Dr Steve Sturdy from the University of Edinburgh's ESRC Genomics Forum for an informal conversation on the links between science and literature. In particular, discussions will explore how forensic science techniques like DNA profiling influence crime fiction writing.
Chaired by Ken MacLeod, well-known science fiction author and one of the Genomics Forum’s Writers in Residence, the sold-out event at the Reference Library is held in partnership with the City of Literature Trust and Edinburgh Central Library.
Mr MacLeod commented,
"In the late nineteenth century, many criminologists argued that a ‘villain’ was an evolutionary throwback. Genes 'for' deviant behaviour are still sometimes claimed to exist. But it's after the crime has taken place that genetic science comes to the fore, with DNA evidence often decisive in convicting or clearing a suspect.
"The Genomics Forum is delighted that Ian Rankin and Lin Anderson, two of our foremost crime authors, are our guests this evening. I’m looking forward to their opinions on whether their villains conform to 'the criminal type' and if the DNA revolution in forensic science changed their plots.”
Dr Jekyll's DNA found - is Hyde in the clear? is part of the Genomics Forum’s ‘ Social Sessions’ series of events - a carnival of discussions about science and literature taking place October 2009 - January 2010. Please visit www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/forum for further information
Ends
Contact name:
Emma-Elizabeth Capewell, Press Officer, ESRC Genomics Forum
Tel: 0131 651 4746 Email: emma.capewell@ed.ac.uk
Note to Editors:
Lin Anderson, Ken MacLeod and Dr Steve Sturdy are availiable for interview.
The Genomics Forum’s two writers in residence are Pippa Goldschmidt and Ken MacLeod, who are working with us on some exciting projects aimed at connecting the area of genomics to a wider audience.
Notes to editors
1. The ESRC Genomics Forum
Based at the University of Edinburgh, the Genomics Forum works to connect social science research on genomics with public policy debates and decision making. The Forum runs a programme of national and international activities to draw natural and social scientists, policy makers, regulators, civil society and business into an ongoing dialogue about the relationship between genomics and society. The Forum is part of the ESRC Genomics Network (EGN).
2. Writers in Residence Programme
Ken MacLeod - http://kenmacleod.blogspot.com/search/label/genomics - is a science fiction author of international repute. In summer 2009, Ken launched the online creative writing venture the Human Genre Project and is involved in organizing and hosting the Social Sessions, a series of convivial discussions on science and literature. Ken is currently researching a novel and commissioning an anthology of short stories on genomics themes.
Pippa Goldschmidt - http://pippagoldschmidt.blogspot.com/ - has just received an MLitt in creative writing from Glasgow University and has had short stories published in several different publications. Pippa used to be an astronomer, and has also worked as a policy advisor for both the UK and Scottish Governments on a wide variety of issues, including the regulation of activities in outer space, and homelessness. Much of her writing is inspired by science and she is currently writing a novel about a female astronomer. Pippa conceived and ran the Forum’s genomics short story competition. The winning entries were published in a special printed collection launched at 2009's Edinburgh International Book Festival. She has also run a series of creative writing workshops and a number of public events exploring the relationship between science and literature.
back
