Show simple item record

dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1951/59640
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11401/71213
dc.description.sponsorshipThis work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree.en_US
dc.formatMonograph
dc.format.mediumElectronic Resourceen_US
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherThe Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
dc.typeDissertation
dcterms.abstractMatters of science traditionally have been looked at from two sociological perspectives. The Sociology of Scientific Knowledge (SSK) argues that science is similar to other socially constructed phenomena, and is a product of context. From this perspective, science and culture have an inextricable relationship. World Polity Theory (WPT), on the other hand, makes the argument that science is a rationalistic entity that exists outside of cultural forces, and brings societies from backward thinking to modern thinking. Taken together, WPT and SSK have explained many of the sociological features of scientific development, sometimes explaining different aspects of the same phenomenon. However, as science becomes increasingly complex and multidimensional, these two theories leave room for additional analysis. Bourdieu's Field Theory brings to light how interactions between social actors make certain social realities possible, and create the environments for the development of policy matters. This theoretical approach is a necessary addition to better understand science as it is codified in policy. The scientific field of embryonic stem cell research is an ideal site to apply these theoretical frameworks. This analysis investigates stem cell research legislation in four contexts: the US, UK, Germany, and China. Each of these cases presents a set of considerations, which changes the landscape of the political field in which stem cell research has evolved. In these cases, the impact of four social actors has been addressed: the Catholic Church, scientific community, pharmaceutical industry, and patient advocacy community. How these actors operate in each context is dependent on a confluence of social forces. The US' stem cell policymaking has been defined by a battle for epistemic authority on issues of life. The UK case illustrates the role of expertise as authority in democratic policymaking. The German case illustrates the ways in which collective memory of iconic events operates through social actors. And, China represents a control case, indicating how policy can evolve in circumstances where the political field is limited. Taken together, these cases illustrate how Sociology of Scientific Knowledge, World Polity Theory, and Field Theory can work together to explain complex modern science.
dcterms.available2013-05-22T17:34:29Z
dcterms.available2015-04-24T14:46:31Z
dcterms.contributorBarthel-Bouchier, Dianeen_US
dcterms.contributorLevy, Danielen_US
dcterms.contributorMarrone, Catherineen_US
dcterms.contributorLensch, Matthew Wen_US
dcterms.contributorMoreno, Jonathanen_US
dcterms.creatorEllison, Brooke Mackenzie
dcterms.dateAccepted2013-05-22T17:34:29Z
dcterms.dateAccepted2015-04-24T14:46:31Z
dcterms.dateSubmitted2013-05-22T17:34:29Z
dcterms.dateSubmitted2015-04-24T14:46:31Z
dcterms.descriptionDepartment of Sociologyen_US
dcterms.extent296 pg.en_US
dcterms.formatApplication/PDFen_US
dcterms.formatMonograph
dcterms.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/1951/59640
dcterms.identifierEllison_grad.sunysb_0771E_10883en_US
dcterms.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/11401/71213
dcterms.issued2012-05-01
dcterms.languageen_US
dcterms.provenanceMade available in DSpace on 2013-05-22T17:34:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ellison_grad.sunysb_0771E_10883.pdf: 2697189 bytes, checksum: ad85aa145a7e9ca558d80905650130b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1en
dcterms.provenanceMade available in DSpace on 2015-04-24T14:46:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 Ellison_grad.sunysb_0771E_10883.pdf.jpg: 1894 bytes, checksum: a6009c46e6ec8251b348085684cba80d (MD5) Ellison_grad.sunysb_0771E_10883.pdf.txt: 832802 bytes, checksum: 51a06f307190321d46ea18197c29bda6 (MD5) Ellison_grad.sunysb_0771E_10883.pdf: 2697189 bytes, checksum: ad85aa145a7e9ca558d80905650130b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1en
dcterms.publisherThe Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
dcterms.subjectSociology--Public policy--History of science
dcterms.subjectfield theory, globalization, science policy, stem cell research, world polity theory
dcterms.titleLife Lines: Stem Cell Research In a Globalized World
dcterms.typeDissertation


Files in this item

Thumbnail

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record