Norms and Irony in the Biosciences: Ameliorating Critique in Synthetic Biology

Abstract

This essay responds to Paul Rabinow’s contention that recent transformations in the practices and norms of the biosciences, exemplified in the emerging field of synthetic biology, demand corresponding changes to the forms of knowledge and practices used by humanities scholars and policymakers wishing to understand and engage with them. Rabinow’s “Human Practices” approach embeds humanities scholars and social scientists with scientists in the course of ongoing research endeavors (so-called upstream engagement). This approach aspires to develop new ways of conceptualizing scientific and engineering practices, and to promote philosophical awareness among scientists and engineers—about what constitutes “the good life”—in ways that are coupled with scientific self-regulation. We wonder, drawing upon research traditions in the history & philosophy of science (HPS) and science & technology studies (STS), whether such an approach is likely to have much impact on the practices of synthetic biology. As our essay endeavors to explain, we doubt whether the environment(s) in which synthetic biology is being practiced will compel scientists to embark on these types of philosophical, social, and ethical reflections, or make them inclined to constructively engage with humanities scholars and social scientists. We also allude to the possible dangers of diluting external regulation and existing forms of accountability for scientists and engineers. Our essay concludes in a register skeptical of Rabinow’s ironic response to the actual difficulties encountered in putting his philosophy into practice. This, we contend, indicates that more robust and reflective engagement with existing theoretical and empirical studies of science, engineering, and expertise would be at least as illuminating, if not, perhaps, as original.

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