عنوان

From eugenics to therapeutics science and the social shaping of gene therapy.

TLets808468

From eugenics to therapeutics science and the social shaping of gene therapy.

[Thesis]

Martin, Paul A.

University of Sussex

1999

Thesis (Ph.D.)

1999

This thesis will examine the development of a new medical technology, gene therapy, in the USA and use this study of a science-based innovation to shed light on how science becomes technology. Gene therapy is the application of gene transfer techniques to the treatment of human diseases. When it was first proposed in the early 1960s gene therapy was closely associated with eugenics and ideas of human genetic engineering aimed at improving future generations and correcting genetic 'defects'. Its early development was highly controversial, provoking organised opposition, and commanded little clinical or commercial interest. However, by 1996 gene therapy had widespread support, was seen as a new form of drug therapy, and was being tested for the treatment of cancer and other acquired diseases in over 160 clinical trials. In addition, some 20 dedicated gene and cell therapy firms had been established to commercially develop the technology in the USA, with a market value of over

Sociology

University of Sussex

University of Sussex

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y