Jointly organised by the Science, Technology & Society Clusters of Asia Research Institute & Faculty of Arts and Social Science and Department of Geography, NUS.

CHAIRPERSON

Prof Gregory Clancey, Asia Research Institute and Department of History, NUS.


ABSTRACT

This paper explores the ways in which developments in post genomics are simultaneously spatial projects.  Epistemic changes in the biosciences are changing the geographies of knowledge production at a variety of scales, through the translation of research towards clinical contexts, the emergence of bioscience megacentres, and the international collaborations involved in the production of biological resources and repositories.  These emerging geographies are additionally textured by existing national political, ethical and regulatory cultures in relation to biotechnological development.  The use of model organisms to develop functional understandings of genes and animal models of disease phenotypes raises further biological and spatial complexities, around strain differences, husbandry conditions, and laboratory contexts.  Drawing on empirical research exploring the changing production, circulation and regulation of genetically altered mice in the UK, USA and Singapore, this paper explores the relation between national, epistemic and corporeal spaces in shaping the emerging biogeographies of post genomic life. 

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Gail Davies is senior lecturer in Geography at UCL in London.  Her research is broadly concerned with the way relations between humans, nonhumans and the natural world are imagined and governed, connecting to debates around the 'geographies of science' and 'more-than-human geographies'.  She is currently tracing the biogeography of genetically altered laboratory animals to understand the role played by transgenic animals in the spaces of the international bioeconomy and in political and ethical debate.