PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE BIBLIOGRAPHY DECEMBER 1998
A monthly round-up of books, reports and articles collated by the Wellcome
Trust Information Service.
BOOKS AND REPORTS
Swoting pus: a developing agenda for action.
Bristol: Graphic Science 1998
Report back on the workshop session: Science Communicators' Forum 8 Sept,
1998.
MacIntyre, S., Eldridge, J., Miller, D. and Philo, G.
Media and expert constructions of risk (ESRC: L211252010).
Swindon: ESRC 15pp
A summary of a research project funded by the Economic and Social Research
Council which investigates processes leading to the formation of expert and
media accounts of risk.
Djerassi, C.
NO.
London: University of Georgia Press 1998 276pp
ISBN: 0820320323
The third in Djerassi's science in fiction trilogy based on two aspects of
current cutting-edge research into human reproduction: the treatment of male
impotence and the accurate at-home prediction of female ovulation.
McEwan, I.
Enduring love.
London: Vintage 1998 247pp
ISBN: 0099276585
A science writer becomes the victim of an obsessive and delusional love in
this novel by Booker prize winning author Ian McEwan.
Battalio, J. T. (ed.)
Essays in the study of scientific discourse: methods, practice, and
pedagogy.
ATTW Contemporary Studies in Technical Communication Series:
volume
6 (Series ed Killingsworth, M. J.)
London: Ablex 1998 264pp
ISBN: 1567503853
Essays on the philosophy of scientific discourse.
Golinski, J.
Making natural knowledge: constructivism and the history of
science.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1998 236pp
ISBN: 0521449138
Jan Golinski reviews recent writing on the history of science and shows how
it has been dramatically reshaped by a new understanding of science itself.
Klee, R. (ed.)
Scientific inquiry: readings from the philosophy of science.
Oxford: Oxford University Press 1999 352pp
ISBN: 0195119762
This anthology provides a mixture of classical and contemporary readings in
the philosophy of science.
Koertge, N. (ed.)
A house built on sand: exposing the postmodernist myths about
science.
Oxford: Oxford University Press 1998 322pp
ISBN: 0195117255
This text presents a critique of postmodern approaches to science.
Shostak, S.
Death of life: the legacy of molecular biology.
Language, Discourse and Society Series (Series ed. Heath, S., MacCabe,
C.
and Riley, D.)
Basingstoke: MacMillan Press 1998 275pp
ISBN: 0333633202
The Death of Life dissects biology's claim to be the Cinderella science that
rose above its station. Early attempts to study life through observation,
experiment and theory are exposed as the skeleton of ideas for controlling
life, ideas which were only fleshed out by the biotech and genomic
industries.
Sokal, A. and Bricmont, J.
Intellectual impostures: postmodern philosophers' abuse of
science.
London: Profile Books 1998 274pp
ISBN: 1861970749
An anaylsis of postmodernist interpretations of science.
Bridgstock, M., Burch, D., Forge, J. et al.
Science, technology and society: an introduction.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1998 276pp
ISBN: 0521583209
Providing a comprehensive introduction to the human, social and economic
aspects of science and technology, this work examines a broad range of
issues from a variety of perspectives, using examples and experiences from
Australia and around the world.
Brown, R. H.
Toward a democratic science: scientific narration and civic
communication.
London: Yale University Press 1998 283pp
ISBN: 0300067070
This text aims to demonstrate how scientific practice is rhetorical and
narrative activity.
Engelhardt, H. T. and Caplan, A. L. (eds.)
Scientific controversies: case studies in the resolution and closure of
disputes in science and technology.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1987 639pp
ISBN: 0521275601
A collection essays in which disputes about the application of scientific
knowledge are resolved. Four concrete examples are considered: the efficacy
of Laetrile, the classification of homosexuality as a disease, the setting
of safety standards in the workplace, and the utility of nuclear power as a
source of energy.
Stevenson, L. and Byerly, H.
The many faces of science: an introduction to scientists, values, and
society.
Oxford: Westview Press 1995 257pp
ISBN: 0813320178
Intended for both a general and undergraduate audience, this introduction
into the philosophy of science uses case studies, anecdotes and personal
comment to portray many heroes and villains from the field of science
through the ages.
ARTICLES
PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE
Susan Greenfield: making the right connection
An interview with the first woman director of the Royal Institution of Great
Britain. Greenfield discusses her work as a neuroscientist and her role as a
scientific communicator.
The Lancet 352 2 December 1998 p.1814
How we learn to survive
An article on Nancy Rothwell, professor of physiology in the School of
Biological Sciences at the University of Manchester, who is giving this
year's Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. Her lectures will be based on
the inner workings of the human body and will be broadcast on BBC2 December
28 1998 to January 1st 1999.
Guardian 10 December 1998 p.6-7. See also: Daily Telegraph, 16 December 1998
p.16
Science's storyteller
An article profiles Richard Dawkins, Oxford University's professor of the
public understanding of science: 'He is a vocal atheist with a combative if
not militant image, but few scientists have a larger audience'.
THES 136318 December 1998 p.15
Clinical futures
An editorial reports on a recently published book, Clinical Futures, that
examines the future of medicine and its impact on society. Fuller details
can be found on the BMJ Web site at http://www.bmj.com/
BMJ 317 5 December 1998 p.1542
Users and navigation patterns of a science World Wide Web site for the
public
A report on initial findings of a multi-year study of public use of a World
Wide Web site for science information. "The Why files" strives to provide
"the science behind the news" in story narratives that contain opportunities
for both linear and non-linear navigation. "The Why Files" can be found at
http://whyfiles.news.wisc.edu
W.P. Eveland & S. Dunwoody, Public Understanding of Science, 7, 1998,
285-311
When science and the public meet: training for genetic counselling
Genetic counselling is beginning to be recognised as a very complex
endeavour, as is its training. Attempts to list the separate purposes to be
achieved, like the findings of research and evaluation of the process, have
been unsatisfactory and even contradictory. These attempts are compared with
similar results in different fields of the public understanding of science.
The paper discusses these results in the context of courses in human
genetics given in a Brazilian university.
V. Leyser da Rosa & J. Solomon, Public Understanding of Science, 7,
December1998, 271-284
Report: the first global cyberconference on public understanding of science
Steve Fuller reports on the first global cyberconference on Public
Understanding of Science, which ran from 25 February to 11 March 19998.
This report surveys the British PUS scene, examines the intellectual
rationale behind the Internet conference and explores two salient issues
raised by the conference: the prospects for the deficit model of PUS and
alternative perspectives on the "multicultural" character of PUS.
S. Fuller, Public Understanding of Science, 7, December1998, 329-341
Between citizen and consumer: multiplying the meanings of the "public
understanding of science"
This paper explores how the "public understanding of science" might be
reconceptualized in the light of recent sociological treatments of
consumption.
M. Michael, Public Understanding of Science, 7, December1998, 313-327
Excerpts from Science and Engineering Indicators 1998, NSB
The US National Science Board has as one of its responsibilities been
preparing a report every two years on indicators of the state of science and
engineering in the United States. These excerpts concentrate on two areas:
public attitudes and understanding and information technology
Science Communication, Vol. 20 No.2, December 1998, 262-267
Report: the portrayal of women in science books for junior readers
This case study examines the portrayal of women in three types of science
books written for pre-adolescent girls. The results suggest that images of
scientists in general science books tends to be representative of both sexes,
whereas science histories and encyclopaedias focus on men's contributions.
L.C. McArthur, Science Communication, Vol. 20 No.2,December 1998, 247-261
SCIENCE AND ETHICS
Ethics: there's a lot of it about
Recent advances in biomedical science have raised new moral questions and
led to a proliferation of bodies and individuals concerned with ethics.
Professor Jonathan Glover, Canon John Polkinghorne, Professor John Harris
and Dr Michael Wilks express their views on several modern dilemmas.
Independent on Sunday 29 November 1998 p.27
Confusion and medical ethics
An article discusses the ethical implications of asking an Alzheimer's
sufferer to take part in scientific research.
THES13614 December 1998 p.12
Cutting edge
An article discusses the progress being made on findings alternatives to
animals for testing new drugs.
THES 1361 4 December 1998 p.36
Research ethics: panel tightens rules on mental disorders
The recommendations of the presidential National Bioethics Advisory Panel on
psychiatric research on patients with mental disorders has drawn criticism
from opposing sides.
Science 282 27 November 1998 p.1617
Gene genie's new vision
According to an article, David Suzuki, a UNESCO prize-winning fruit-fly
geneticist and text book author, believes that modern-day science has lost
its way because scientists have disregarded the social and environmental
consequence of their research. More orthodox colleagues feel that these
controversial views betray them and the spirit of scientific enquiry.
Guardian Higher 1 December 1998 p.V
Genetic discrimination in life insurance: empirical evidence from a
cross-sectional survey of genetic support groups in the United Kingdom
A paper reporting the results of a survey conducted by the Wellcome Trust's
Unit for Policy Research in Science and Medicine (PRISM), which gives
preliminary empirical evidence of genetic discrimination by the insurance
industry in the UK.
BMJ 317 12 December 1998 p.1632-1635 See also: Daily Telegraph 11
December 1998 p.16
Call to strengthen UK ban on human clones
A formal consultation document from the Human Genetics Advisory Commission
and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, has concluded that a
ban on human reproductive cloning should be enshrined in statute, but there
should be reasonable freedom to explore potential benefits of
nuclear-replacement techniques.
The Lancet 352 12 December 1998 p.1916 See also BMJ 317 12 December 1998
p.1613 New Scientist 2164 12 December 1998 p.5 Financial Times 9
December 1998 p.15 THES 1362 11 December 1998 p.2 Research Fortnight 5 9
December 1998 p.2
PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS SCIENCE
Cloning for human babies must never happen, says poll
An opinion poll commissioned by the Wellcome Trust has found that the public
are strongly against the use of human cloning for reproductive purposes. The
survey found that most respondents had grave worries about a future in which
reproduction can occur without men. Dr Suzanne King, head of the
consultation and education department at the Trust, said that all but four
of the participants in the survey had "rejected the idea of human cloning
outright".
Public Perspectives on Human Cloning is available at
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/publications.
Daily Telegraph 4 December 1998 p.13 See also Times 4 December 1998 p.12
THES 1361 4 December 1998 p.12, BMJ 317 12 December 1998 p.1613
Sainsbury seeks public view on bioscience
A public consultation on the biosciences was launched this week by the
science minister Lord Sainsbury: 'This exercise will help us identify
issues that interest people and the information they wish to receive'.
THES 136318 December 1998 p.3
Gene technology communication: facilitating public deliberation of pST gene
technology
This articles reports on the first phase of a three-year project on public
perceptions of biotechnology, conducted in Perth, Western Australia
R. Schibeci & I.Barns, Science Communication, Vol. 20 No.2, December 1998
204-226
RISK COMMUNICATION
Communication channels and risk information: a cost utility model
This article presents and evaluates a models of risk communication in which
cost and expected utility are fundamental aspects of the communication
channel.
C. Trumbo, Science Communication, Vol. 20 No.2, December 1998 190-203
SCIENCE AND THE MEDIA
Help guide us through the universe
An article on popular science writing by Sir Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal,
marks the launch of this year's Daily Telegraph/BASF Young Science Writer
competition. Most scientists' everyday working lives are concerned with
their own narrow fields; writing popular science books or articles can give
scientists the opportunity to address wider scientific issues and questions
about the nature of science.
Daily Telegraph 2 December 1998 p.22
PRESS RELEASES
15 December 1998 - Lord Sainsbury Announces Public Consultation on
Biosciences, Department of Trade and Industry, P/98/1029
All of the above items are available for reference in the Wellcome Trust
Information Service, or from the British Library, Lending Division via your
local library service. If you have any difficulties obtaining items please
contact me directly on the e-mail below.
*********************************************************
Karen John-Pierre, Information Officer, The Wellcome Trust,
183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK.
Email [log in to unmask]
Tel: + 44 (0)171 611 8510 Fax: +44 (0)171 611 8726
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