Current Controversies In The Biological Sciences

In recent years, advances in biological science and technology have outpaced policymakers' attempts to deal with them. Current Controversies in the Biological Sciences examines the ways in which the federal government uses scientific information in reaching policy decisions, providing case studies of the interactions between science and government on different biomedical, biological, and environmental issues. These case studies document a broad range of complex issues in science policy—from the Human Genome Project to tobacco regulation—and provide an accessible overview of both the science behind the issues and the policy-making process. The cases illustrate the different ways in which science and politics intersect in policy decisions, as well as the different forms policy itself may take—including not only regulatory action but the lack of regulation. Among the topics examined are public and private research funding, as seen in gene patenting; reluctance to regulate even when a product has been proven unhealthy, as in the case of tobacco; a comparison of U.S. and international policy responses to genetically modified organisms; and the competing interests at play in air pollution policy. Each chapter includes shorter side essays on related topics (for example, essays on issues raised by the SARS epidemic accompany the detailed case study of the public health response to the anthrax-laced mail received in the weeks after 9/11). This clear and readable introduction to controversial issues in the biological sciences will be a valuable resource for students of science policy and bioethics and for professionals in industry, government, and nongovernmental organizations who need background on emerging issues in the biological sciences.

The potential misuse of advances in life sciences research is raising concerns about national security threats. Dual Use Research of Concern in the Life Sciences: Current Issues and Controversies examines the U.S. strategy for reducing biosecurity risks in life sciences research and considers mechanisms that would allow researchers to manage the dissemination of the results of research while mitigating the potential for harm to national security.

Current Controversies in Philosophy of Science asks twelve philosophers to debate six questions that are driving contemporary work in this area of philosophy. The questions are: I. Are Boltzmann Brains Bad? II. Does Mathematical Explanation Require Mathematical Truth? III. Does Quantum Mechanics Suggest Spacetime is Nonfundamental? IV. Is Evolution Fundamental When It Comes to Defining Biological Ontology? V. Is Chance Ontologically Fundamental? VI. Are Sexes Natural Kinds? These debates explore the philosophical foundations of particular scientific disciplines, while also examining more general issues in the philosophy of science. The result is a book that’s perfect for the advanced philosophy student, building up their knowledge of the foundations of the field and engaging with its cutting-edge questions. Preliminary descriptions of each chapter, annotated lists of further readings for each controversy, and study questions for each chapter help provide clearer and richer snapshots of active controversies for all readers.

What Is the Dual-Use Dilemma? The so-called “dual-use dilemma” arises in the context of research in the biological and other sciences as a consequence of the fact that one and the same piece of sci- tific research sometimes has the potential to be used for harm as well as for good. A dual-use dilemma is an ethical dilemma, and an ethical dilemma for the researcher (and for those who have the power or authority to assist or impede the researcher’s work, e. g. , governments). It is an ethical dilemma since it is about promoting good in the context of the potential for also causing harm, e. g. , the p- motion of health in the context of providing the wherewithal for the killing of in- cents. It is an ethical dilemma for the researcher not because he or she is aiming at anything other than a good outcome; typically, the researcher intends no harm, but only good. Rather, the dilemma arises for the researcher because of the potential actions of others. Malevolent non-researchers might steal dangerous biological agents produced by the researcher; alternatively, other researchers—or at least their governments or leadership—might use the results of the original researcher’s work for malevolent purposes. The malevolent purposes in question include bioterrorism, biowarfare and blackmail for financial gain.

Table of contents Annette Leßmöllmann and Thomas Gloning Preface – V Annette Leßmöllmann and Thomas Gloning Introduction to the volume – XI I Perspectives of research on scholarly and science communication Gregor Betz and David Lanius 1 Philosophy of science for science communication in twenty-two questions – 3 Friederike Hendriks and Dorothe Kienhues 2 Science understanding between scientific literacy and trust: contributions from psychological and educational research – 29 Hans-Jürgen Bucher 3 The contribution of media studies to the understanding of science communication – 51 Mike S. Schäfer, Sabrina H. Kessler and Birte Fähnrich 4 Analyzing science communication through the lens of communication science: Reviewing the empirical evidence – 77 Hannah Schmid-Petri and Moritz Bürger 5 Modeling science communication: from linear to more complex models – 105 Gábor Á. Zemplén 6 The contribution of laboratory studies, science studies and Science and Technology Studies (STS) to the understanding of scientific communication – 123 Nina Janich 7 The contribution of linguistics and semiotics to the understanding of science communication – 143 Britt-Marie Schuster 8 The contribution of terminology research to the understanding of science communication – 167 Thorsten Pohl 9 The study of student academic writing – 187 II Text types, media, and practices of science communication Thomas Gloning 10 Epistemic genres – 209 Luc Pauwels 11 On the nature and role of visual representations in knowledge production and science communication – 235 Henning Lobin 12 The lecture and the presentation – rhetorics and technology – 257 Sylvia Jaworska 13 Spoken language in science and the humanities – 271 Gerd Fritz 14 Scholarly reviewing – 289 Gerd Fritz 15 Scientific controversies – 311 Thomas Gloning 16 Symbolic notation in scientific communication: a panorama – 335 Michel Serfati † 17 The rise of symbolic notation in scientific communication: the case of mathematics – 357 Benedetto Lepori and Sara Greco 18 Grant proposal writing as a dialogic process – 377 III Science, scientists, and the public Wolf-Andreas Liebert 19 Communicative strategies of popularization of science (including science exhibitions, museums, magazines) – 399 Sharon Dunwoody 20 Science journalism – 417 Holger Wormer 21 Teaching science journalism as a blueprint for future journalism education – 439 Charlotte Autzen and Emma Weitkamp 22 Science communication and public relations: beyond borders – 465 Philipp Schrögel and Christian Humm 23 Science communication, advising, and advocacy in public debates – 485 Philipp Niemann, Laura Bittner, Christiane Hauser and Philipp Schrögel 24 Forms of science presentations in public settings – 515 IV Historical perspectives on science communication Thomas Gloning 25 Historical perspectives on internal scientific communication – 547 Michael Prinz 26 Academic teaching: the lecture and the disputation in the history of erudition and science – 569 Monika Hanauska 27 Historical aspects of external science communication – 585 V Science communication: present and future Martina Franzen 28 Reconfigurations of science communication research in the digital age – 603 Peter Reuter and Andreas Brandtner 29 The library in a changing world of scientific communication – 625 Mareike König 30 Scholarly communication in social media – 639 Annette Leßmöllmann 31 Current trends and future visions of (research on) science communication – 657

The public is more interested in agricultural and food issues than ever before, as is evident in the many agricultural controversies debated in the media. Why is it that some people embrace new agricultural technologies while others steadfastly defend traditional farming methods? Why do some prefer to buy food grown around the world while others patronize small, local farmers? In the debates about organic food, genetically modified organisms, and farm animal welfare, it is not always clear what the scientific literature actually says. To understand these controversies, the authors encourage readers to develop first an appreciation for why two equally intelligent and well-intentioned people can form radically different notions about food. Sometimes the disputes are scientific in nature, and sometimes they arise from conflicting ethical views. This book confronts the most controversial issues in agriculture by first explaining the principles of both sides of the debate, and then guiding readers through the scientific literature so that they may form their own educated opinions. Is food safe if the farm used pesticides, or are organic foods truly better for your health? Are chemical fertilizers sustainable, or are we producing cheap food today at the expense of future generations? What foods should we eat to have a smaller carbon footprint? Is genetically-modified food the key to global food security, and does it give corporations too much market power? Is the prevalence of corn throughout the food system the result of farm subsidies? Does buying local food stimulate the local economy? Why are so many farm animals raised indoors, and should antibiotics be given to livestock? These are the issues addressed in Agricultural and Food Controversies: What Everyone Needs to Know. While it doesn't claim to have all the answers, it provides a synthesis of research and popular opinions on both sides of these important issues, allowing readers to decide what they value and believe for themselves.

A range of views on the morality of synthetic biology and its place in public policy and political discourse.

Current Controversies in Philosophy of Science asks twelve philosophers to debate six questions that are driving contemporary work in this area of philosophy. The questions are: I. Are Boltzmann Brains Bad? II. Does Mathematical Explanation Require Mathematical Truth? III. Does Quantum Mechanics Suggest Spacetime is Nonfundamental? IV. Is Evolution Fundamental When It Comes to Defining Biological Ontology? V. Is Chance Ontologically Fundamental? VI. Are Sexes Natural Kinds? These debates explore the philosophical foundations of particular scientific disciplines, while also examining more general issues in the philosophy of science. The result is a book that’s perfect for the advanced philosophy student, building up their knowledge of the foundations of the field and engaging with its cutting-edge questions. Preliminary descriptions of each chapter, annotated lists of further readings for each controversy, and study questions for each chapter help provide clearer and richer snapshots of active controversies for all readers.