Функционалната диференциация и следствията от новите генетични изследвания
Functional Differentiation and the Implications of New Genetic Rcaserch

Summary/Abstract: This paper explores social representations of genetics in Britain towards the end of the 20th century. Following Luhmann's thesis of a 'functional differentiation' of modern society we discus the segmentation of themes and concerns about new genetic research among different groups of professionals in Britain. The Human Genome Project (HGP), a large scale international research programme to map the entire human genetic code, has returned 'human genes' as a arget of public policy. We analyse group discussions on genetic research and related issues in metropolitan Britain. Group discussions are dominated by a discourse of concern and social control; initial associations to the HGP are generally positive, but later thoughts are generally negative. The social representation of genetic research is objectified with three dimensions: manipulation versus identification, promise versus concern, and under control versus out of control. This matrix provides a frame of reference to describe the differences between social groups and to track changes over time. Professional groups differ clearly in the concerns they voice, and in the themes they discuss. It is shown that moral concerns provide a common language across groups of professionals. This 'ethics bridge' may have the potential to inter-mediate between the functionally differentiated sphere of human activity in modern societies.

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