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08:34
An Engineered Split-TET2 Enzyme for Chemical-inducible DNA Hydroxymethylation and Epigenetic Remodeling
Published on: December 18, 2017
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Epigenetics: ethics, politics, biosociality
1STSLab, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lausanne, Quartier UNIL-Mouline, Bâtiment Géopolis, Lausanne, Switzerland.
British Medical Bulletin
|October 18, 2018
Summary
Epigenetics, a growing bioscience field, raises ethical questions about privacy and future generations. It requires new ways to frame moral and political issues concerning scientific discoveries.
Area of Science:
- Biosciences
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Epigenetics is a rapidly expanding field with significant interest in both biomedical and social sciences.
- This study analyzes highly cited work in social sciences and humanities related to epigenetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the landscape of highly cited epigenetic research within social sciences and humanities.
- To explore the ethical and societal implications of epigenetics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective mapping of highly cited literature.
- Unsystematic literature analysis using Web of Science core collection data.
Main Results:
- Epigenetics does not introduce novel ethical issues beyond those in genetics.
- It prompts a re-evaluation of how scientific discoveries are morally and socially integrated.
- Normative questions arise concerning privacy, responsibility, health justice, and equality.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic insights can refine ethical and political discourse by incorporating complex biosocial realities.
- Further research is timely to address the normative questions posed by epigenetics.
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