Debating CRISPR/cas9 and Mitochondrial Donation: Continuity and Transition Performances at Scientific Conferences

Keywords: scientific conferences, CRISPR, cas9, mitochondrial donation, mitochondria, gene editing, performative, performativity, embryo politics

Abstract

Conferences are important performative sites. Here we detail a UK science policy conference debating the novel biomedical techniques CRISPR/cas9 and mitochondrial donation. Both techniques have received significant attention from scientists and bioethicists about their clinical potential, social implications, and the prospects of genetic and germline modification. In many countries the policy debates on regulating both technologies is ongoing and operating in tandem. The UK, however, is operating in a distinct policy context in that mitochondrial donation was formally legalized under license in 2015, meaning the British CRISPR/cas9 debates occur in the light of a confirmed policy position on mitochondrial donation. Our analysis of the Progress Educational Trust 2015 annual conference ‘From Three-Person IVF to Genome Editing’ argues that this event conducted important staging work in articulating the relationship between these two technologies in the UK. These efforts constitute what we call a ‘transition performance’ that (i) enacted the successful resolution of the mitochondrial donation policy debate, (ii) performed the success of British biomedical politics, and (iii) opened the space for a public debate on CRISPR/cas9 in line with a specifically configured set of legitimacy practices. Subsequently the conference contrasts to many other conferences that fit what we term a ‘continuity performance’ that seek to assert consistency and progress through iteration. We close by articulating further applications and developments of these notions in Science and Technology Studies.

Author Biographies

Neil Stephens, Centre for Biomedicine and Society (CBAS) Brunel University London
Dr. Neil Stephens is a sociologist and Science and Technology Studies scholar at the Centre for Biomedicine and Society and Brunel University London. His current research is on social aspects of robotic surgery. Previous work has included stem cell banking, laboratory grown meat, and the African-Brazilian dance Capoeira.
Rebecca Dimond, School of Social Sciences Cardiff University
Dr. Rebecca Dimond is a medical sociologtist at Cardiff University. She currently holds an ESRC Future Leaders grant to explore social aspects of mitochondrial donation. Previous research has included the rare genetic disorder 22q11 deletion syndrome and haemophilia.
Published
04 Dec 2016
Section
Considering Concepts