Current Controversies in the Biological Sciences ─ Case Studies of Policy Challenges from New Technologies

In recent years, advances in biological science and technology have outpacedpolicymakers' attempts to deal with them. Current Controversies in the Biological Sciences examinesthe ways in which the federal government uses scientific information in reaching policy decisions,providing case studies of the interactions between science and government on different biomedical,biological, and environmental issues. These case studies document a broad range of complex issues inscience policy--from the Human Genome Project to tobacco regulation--and provide an accessibleoverview of both the science behind the issues and the policy-making process.The cases illustratethe different ways in which science and politics intersect in policy decisions, as well as thedifferent forms policy itself may take--including not only regulatory action but the lack ofregulation. Among the topics examined are public and private research funding, as seen in genepatenting; reluctance to regulate even when a product has been proven unhealthy, as in the case oftobacco; a comparison of U.S. and international policy responses to genetically modified organisms;and the competing interests at play in air pollution policy. Each chapter includes shorter sideessays on related topics (for example, essays on issues raised by the SARS epidemic accompany thedetailed case study of the public health response to the anthrax-laced mail received in the weeksafter 9/11).This clear and readable introduction to controversial issues in the biological scienceswill be a valuable resource for students of science policy and bioethics and for professionals inindustry, government, and nongovernmental organizations who need background on emerging issues inthe biological sciences.

Karen F. Greif is Professor of Biology at Bryn Mawr College.