Thesis ID: CBB001560761

Human Genome Project Discoveries: Dialectics and Rhetoric in the Science of Genetics (2008)

unapi

Robidoux, Charlotte A. (Author)


Catholic University of America
Moss, Jean Dietz


Publication Date: 2008
Edition Details: Advisor: Moss, Jean Dietz
Physical Details: 329 pp.
Language: English

The Human Genome Project (HGP), a $437 million effort that began in 1990 to chart the chemical sequence of our three billion base pairs of DNA, was completed in 2003, marking the 50th anniversary that proved the definitive structure of the molecule. This study considered how dialectical and rhetorical arguments functioned in the science, political, and public forums over a 20- year period, from 1980 to 2000, to advance human genome research and to establish the official project. I argue that Aristotle's continuum of knowledge--which ranges from the probable on one end to certified or demonstrated knowledge on the other--provides useful distinctions for analyzing scientific reasoning. While contemporary scientific research seeks to discover certified knowledge, investigators generally employ the hypothetico-deductive or scientific method, which often yields probable rather than certain findings, making these dialectical in nature. Analysis of the discourse describing human genome research revealed the use of numerous rhetorical figures and topics. Persuasive and probable reasoning were necessary for scientists to characterize unknown genetic phenomena, to secure interest in and funding for large-scale human genome research, to solve scientific problems, to issue probable findings, to convince colleagues and government officials that the findings were sound and to disseminate information to the public. Both government and private venture scientists drew on these tools of reasoning to promote their methods of mapping and sequencing the genome. The debate over how to carry out sequencing was rooted in conflicting values. Scientists representing the academic tradition valued a more conservative method that would establish high quality results, and those supporting private industry valued an unconventional approach that would yield products and profits more quickly. Values in turn influenced political and public forum arguments. Agency representatives and investors sided with the approach that reflected values they supported. Fascinated with this controversy and the convincing comparisons, the media often endorsed Celera's work for its efficiency. The analysis of discourse from the science, political, and public forums revealed that value systems influenced the accuracy and quality of the arguments more than the type or number of figures used to describe the research to various audiences.

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Description On how “dialectical and rhetorical arguments functioned in the science, political, and public forums over a 20-year period, from 1980 to 2000.” (from the abstract) Cited in Diss. Abstr. Int. A 68/12 (2008). Pub. no. AAT 3294705.


Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB001560761/

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Authors & Contributors
Ankeny, Rachel A.
Leitão, Henrique
Gareth Leng
Jones, Kathryn Maxson
Rhodri Ivor Leng
Wells, Susan
Concepts
Genetics
Rhetoric in scientific discourse
Human genetics
Research methods
Genomics
Case studies
Time Periods
20th century, late
21st century
Modern
17th century
Places
United States
Finland
Canada
Institutions
Human Genome Project
Wellcome Trust
National Institutes of Health
Cambridge. University. Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Census of Marine Life (1999-2009)
Helsingin yliopisto (Finland)
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