Edging towards bioutopia: human folly or paradise?

Abstract

Richard Hindmarsh outlines the challenge presented by proponents of a vision in which biotechnology will someday place life fully under human control—a concept which Hindmarsh refers to as “BioUtopia”. Focussing on the rDNA regulatory scheme in Australia, Hindmarsh finds that “a central mission in laying out the foundations of Bioutopia has been the consistent marginalization of the enduring questioning of bioutopian inclinations, visions and narratives by dissenting publics, scientists and bureaucrats.” In Edging Towards BioUtopia, Hindmarsh weaves such a narrative of dissent, challenging bioutopian schemes and bolstering the call for further democratic control of life altering technologies.

Here Hindmarsh expands on some of the central themes of Edging Towards Bioutopia, published by University of Western Australia Press.