Out of the strawberry patch: Biotechnology's search for legitimacy.

摘要

This study examines the social and ethical criticism surrounding genetic engineering and how the biotechnology industry is dealing with that criticism during the early stages of commercialization. The study takes as a thesis that the "legitimacy" of the industry is at stake during this critical period, and that societal acceptance of the industry and its products will depend in large measure on how well the managements of the biotechnology firms understand and deal with these issues.;After a brief introductory chapter on genetic engineering the dissertation describes the formulation and growth of the industry, the social environment in which the industry has developed to date, and the involvement of the government in shaping the development of the industry.;A major section of the dissertation deals with the attempt by Advanced Genetic Sciences to test its first genetically engineered product on a strawberry field in California and an analysis of why the company was unable to conduct the test. Analyses of the experiences of the University of California and Monsanto Company are included. Then the study describes in detail what happened in 1987 to change this picture dramatically: why the first "deliberate release" experiments were allowed to take place.;Finally, the study includes a chapter on the views of executives from the biotechnology industry and a concluding chapter which suggests that the industry needs to be a more proactive participant in the socialization process if "legitimacy" is to be achieved.