Final Report Summary - DNA AND SOCIETY (Science and Society: From a History of the 'Emotional Images of DNA' to a Set of Multidisciplinary Actions for Disseminating Good Social Values in Europe)
Project context and objectives
This research has set a series of objectives linked to the collective imagination that revolves around DNA and its possible influences upon human qualities (ethics, intelligence, social attitudes, etc). In particular, we have been interested in examining the spectrum of ideas in Europe regarding the DNA/human quality relationship. Each DNA idea/image rests upon a possible heterogeneous series of information and sources. Therefore, we aimed to analyse the channels that have contributed and still contribute the most to the formation of DNA ideas/images present throughout society. We especially wanted to understand if the collective idea of DNA currently diffused in society is mainly a result of: a. direct scientific information, or b. narrative engines of a different kind. Finally, we set the objective as wanting to understand if it is possible to retrace the historical, philosophical, psychological and social roots within the DNA ideas/images of society, and which actions can be carried out to spread an idea of DNA that is more exact and useful for integration in Europe.
Work performed
The work carried out to achieve the objectives of the project was mainly focused on the analysis of two sources:
- the scientific literature concerning the discoveries in the genetic field of the last 60 years;
- newspapers.
The data that came out from this comparative research was subsequently subjected to critical interdisciplinary analysis that was made possible within a large academic institution like the EHESS of Paris (the institution that accepted the research project during its development). Four papers were taken into consideration (Le Monde, The New York Times, The Times and Sunday Times), in three time windows: the first six months of 1990, the first six months of 2000 and the first six months of 2010. About 900 articles were examined and then divided into two groups: A. science and culture; B. customs and society.
The research started with the conviction that the concept of DNA enjoys a strong component of determinism, and that vital processes (and particularly those linked to human behaviour) are seen under a widespread gene-centric and reductionist conviction (everything depends on genes) following the great enthusiasm that the discovery of DNA transmitted in the past century within the scientific community and in society. Our research involved a more complex scenario. More detailed results coming from both a statistical study of the data and an analytical and socio-philosophical examination of the whole set of elements can be found in the final report of this project.
Main results
As assumed in the hypothesis of the project, the results seem to show an important role of the unconscious image of DNA, genes and behaviour on our social lives. The analysis of the elements involved in these psychological and cultural representations will certainly be able to provide a science-based set of actions to prevent the spreading of erroneous ideas concerning the biology of hereditariness and behaviour. More generally, the study provides some key concepts regarding the term 'science and society', and in particular the 'culture-genetic' relationship towards which we should direct actions aimed at improving the relationships between the different ethnic races that live side by side within Europe and so spread a more democratic and complex idea of science.
This research has set a series of objectives linked to the collective imagination that revolves around DNA and its possible influences upon human qualities (ethics, intelligence, social attitudes, etc). In particular, we have been interested in examining the spectrum of ideas in Europe regarding the DNA/human quality relationship. Each DNA idea/image rests upon a possible heterogeneous series of information and sources. Therefore, we aimed to analyse the channels that have contributed and still contribute the most to the formation of DNA ideas/images present throughout society. We especially wanted to understand if the collective idea of DNA currently diffused in society is mainly a result of: a. direct scientific information, or b. narrative engines of a different kind. Finally, we set the objective as wanting to understand if it is possible to retrace the historical, philosophical, psychological and social roots within the DNA ideas/images of society, and which actions can be carried out to spread an idea of DNA that is more exact and useful for integration in Europe.
Work performed
The work carried out to achieve the objectives of the project was mainly focused on the analysis of two sources:
- the scientific literature concerning the discoveries in the genetic field of the last 60 years;
- newspapers.
The data that came out from this comparative research was subsequently subjected to critical interdisciplinary analysis that was made possible within a large academic institution like the EHESS of Paris (the institution that accepted the research project during its development). Four papers were taken into consideration (Le Monde, The New York Times, The Times and Sunday Times), in three time windows: the first six months of 1990, the first six months of 2000 and the first six months of 2010. About 900 articles were examined and then divided into two groups: A. science and culture; B. customs and society.
The research started with the conviction that the concept of DNA enjoys a strong component of determinism, and that vital processes (and particularly those linked to human behaviour) are seen under a widespread gene-centric and reductionist conviction (everything depends on genes) following the great enthusiasm that the discovery of DNA transmitted in the past century within the scientific community and in society. Our research involved a more complex scenario. More detailed results coming from both a statistical study of the data and an analytical and socio-philosophical examination of the whole set of elements can be found in the final report of this project.
Main results
As assumed in the hypothesis of the project, the results seem to show an important role of the unconscious image of DNA, genes and behaviour on our social lives. The analysis of the elements involved in these psychological and cultural representations will certainly be able to provide a science-based set of actions to prevent the spreading of erroneous ideas concerning the biology of hereditariness and behaviour. More generally, the study provides some key concepts regarding the term 'science and society', and in particular the 'culture-genetic' relationship towards which we should direct actions aimed at improving the relationships between the different ethnic races that live side by side within Europe and so spread a more democratic and complex idea of science.
