Actor-networks,international political economy and risk in genetic manipulation

Abstract

This paper returns to the history of the early concerns about risk. Two reasons are offered for this. One is that a sense of hindsight may open new analysis. The second is the possibility of applying newer theoretical perspectives to understanding the early debates over risk—debates that in some considerable measure shaped the trajectories of the technology. In undertaking this, the paper draws on two bodies of literature. The literature of international political economy, as an expanding and vibrant field of study, is beginning to recognize the importance of developing a strong focus on technology. When combined with actor- network theory, new insight can be applied to the processes by which conjectured risks associated with genetic manipulation shaped the character of a new technological paradigm.