Description
Acknowledgements
First, we must thank our colleagues and collaborators with whom we worked during our investigations into synthetic biology, from several science and engineering departments across a number of UK universities. Special mentions are due to Catherine, Phil, Graham, Jags, Joss, Greg, Joby, Simon and Qaiser. Thanks also to the iGEM team, who were an inspiration and a lot of fun: Caroline, Matt, Narmada, Nii, Steve and Tom. We have shared in prosperity and pleasure, failure and frustration. There was even a dinosaur at one point. We hope that you all enjoy the book.
Second, thanks to the creative and thoughtful community of sociologists involved in the ESRC Seminar Series on Synthetic Biology and the Social Sciences, especially Jane Calvert, Claire Marris and Emma Frow. We are grateful to our colleagues, postdocs and PhD students for helping us to thrash out some of the ideas in the book, and for their support more generally. Of course, thanks also go to the funders that helped to make this book possible: the EPSRC (EP/H023488/1), BBSRC (BB/F018681/1, BB/M017702/1), ESRC and the White Rose Science Education Network.
In a book about everyday life and knowledge production it is most important to show our appreciation to our friends, families and partners. You have all been so kind and patient. Andy is particularly grateful to Jamie, Mike, Ian and Suzie, Diane and Ivy for their support. Susie would like to thank Pete, Rosie (yes, you are more important than a book) and Alex. Kate thanks all the Bulpins and Morans, but especially Paul.
Finally, we each want to thank each other, just so that it is on the record. We had fun.
Contents
Acknowledgements vi
List of Abbreviations vii
1 Synthetic Biology in Situ 1
Coda 1 Towards Collaborative Practices 33
2 Barriers 41
Coda 2 Brokering Relations 72
3 Bacteria 80
Coda 3 Critics on the Inside 108
4 Bodies 116
Coda 4 Reciprocal Reflexivity 143
5 Enacting Ontologies, Failure and Time 1 51
Coda 5 Reflections on Collaboration 181
References 191
Index 203