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Technologies of similarities and differences : on the interdependence of nature
and technology in the Human Genome Diversity Project
M'charek, A.A.
Publication date
2000
Link to publication
Citation for published version (APA):
M'charek, A. A. (2000). Technologies of similarities and differences : on the interdependence
of nature and technology in the Human Genome Diversity Project.
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Thee H u m a n G e n o m e Diversify Project (HGDP) aims at
m a p p i n gg genetic diversity of world's populations. Doing so, geneticistss a r e not only interested in the genetic differences b e t w e e nn these populations, but also in learning via the geness about their migration history. The HGDP became controversial.. It w a s d e b a t e d w h e t h e r the initiative w o u l d reifyy racial categorisations based on genetic differences a n d w o u l dd put fuel to debates about race a n d racism. This b o o k offerss a study of this project. However, rather than a n
e x a m i n a t i o nn of the controversy as such, it investigates w h a t geneticc diversity is.
Basedd on a n e t h n o g r a p h y of laboratories w h e r e genetic diversityy is being studied, a number of core practices a n d technologiess a r e a n a l y s e d . Genetic diversity, as these
ee sage in the D N A , norr a construct of geneticists. It is rather a n effect of scientific practices,, w h e r e the w o r k of geneticists, D N A a n d
technologiess a r e aligned to produce it. W h i l e giving insight inn the daily w o r k of geneticist, this book addresses the normativityy of that w o r k a n d shows h o w objects a n d
technologiess gain politics. It m a k e s clear h o w race a n d sex gett built into technologies a n d h o w these become part of a "nothingg strange going o n " kind of practice. Given the centrall role of genetics in our society this b o o k calls for a n approachh w h e r e normative issues, such as race a n d
sex-differences,, a r e not only traced in h u m a n action a n d agency,, but especially in scientific routines a n d technologies. A m a d ee M'charek is a reader in
sciencee a n d technology studies att the Dep. of Science Dynamics a n dd the Dep. of Biology (Univer-sityy of A m s t e r d a m ) , a n d is a studentt of Biomedical Sciences a tt Leiden University.
