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Article
Heterogeneity, control, social infrastructure, and possibilities of participation: Their interplay in modern understandings of heredity and in interpretation of science
Working Papers on Science in a Changing World
  • Peter J Taylor, University of Massachusetts Boston
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-31-2011
Keywords
  • biomedicine,
  • control,
  • epidemiology,
  • heterogeneity,
  • participation
Abstract

This working paper is a prospectus for research, writing, and engagement. It consists of vignettes, sketches of lines of inquiry, and proposals for engagement, all of which concern modern understandings of heredity and development over the life course as well as the social interpretation of science. The various items address a range of areas of science and of its interpretation: heritability studies, the social uses of genetic information, gene-by-environment interaction, personalized medicine, IQ paradoxes, racial group membership, biobanks, and life events and difficulties research. Fresh perspectives in these areas are opened up by examining the ways that research and application of resulting knowledge address—or suppress—heterogeneity in a range of senses (including individual particularity and variation around a mean). The prospectus is presented in the spirit of unfinished and open inquiry, aiming to encourage readers to make further contributions of their own. Adopting or adapting items in the prospectus is encouraged, as is critical commentary on practical and theoretical issues raised by the items.

Community Engaged/Serving
No, this is not community-engaged.
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Citation Information
Peter J Taylor. "Heterogeneity, control, social infrastructure, and possibilities of participation: Their interplay in modern understandings of heredity and in interpretation of science" (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/peter_taylor/11/