Colony of genes, genes of the colony: diversity, difference and divide

In this article we propose an ideal typology of reactions to genomics-the study (in complex transnational organisational research arrangements) of the genome, the sum total of the genetic material in any particular organism-from the point of view and perspective of communities that find themselves i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Third world quarterly 2004-09, Vol.25 (6), p.1031-1043
Main Authors: Van Rinsum, Henk J, Godfrey B, Tangwa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Africa
Biodiversity
Black communities
Cultural Pluralism
Genes
Genetic epistemology
Genetics
Genomics
Hominids
Human genetics
Human genome
Human genome project
Humans
Medical genetics
Morality
Organizational research
Science and Technology
Transnationalism
Typology
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Summary:In this article we propose an ideal typology of reactions to genomics-the study (in complex transnational organisational research arrangements) of the genome, the sum total of the genetic material in any particular organism-from the point of view and perspective of communities that find themselves in marginal positions. Genomics is a particularly important part of 'technoscience'-science mingled with technology. Within genomics the concepts of diversity and difference are paradoxically intermingled. Genetically speaking, the difference between human beings and nature is fading. Homo sapiens, viewed as genetic material, is becoming part and parcel of 'natural resources'. Diversity is the moral dimension of this perspective. At the same time genomics appears to map, mark and thereby define difference; difference between individuals and between groups of people, but also between healthy and ill, and finally between 'normal' and, consequently, 'abnormal', deviant. Difference is the moral dimension of this counterpoint. We argue that genomics is an important field of study for Africa. At the same time, however, we discern a potentially dangerous new divide: a genomics divide between Africa and the West. We argue that more research is needed on contextualisation of 'genomics'.
ISSN:0143-6597
1360-2241
DOI:10.1080/0143659042000256878