rDNA and Risk:Controversies of the 1970s and 80s

HSCI E137 Feb 23, 2011

Some of the scientific developmentspreceding the biotech era

• Search for hereditary basis for traits and diseases (Penrose, 1940s)

• One gene-one enzyme hypothesis (Beadle and Tatum, 1940s)

• Concept of “molecular disease” (Pauling, 1949)• DNA as hereditary material (Hershey and Chase,

1951)• Structure of DNA (Watson and Crick, 1953)

Scientific developments

• The “central dogma”: DNA makes RNA makes protein (Crick, 1958)

• Frog cloned (Gurdon, 1961)

• Discovery of restriction enzymes (late 1960s)

• Recombinant DNA (1973)

Krimsky’s Biotechnics

• K’s view of technology: as contingent, not autonomous; cell-as-factory metaphor

• K divides the history of the early biotech revolution by decade

• Defining events in the first decade (1970s):– 1973: first successful recombinant DNA– 1974: formation of NIH RAC– 1975: Asilomar conference

Defining events: 1970s

• 1976-77: public involvement in rDNA debate– Cambridge City Council hearing, June 26, 1976

(video)– 1977: Cambridge passes rDNA law– 1977: Rifkin’s debut as anti-genetics activist

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Rifkin in 2009

Rifkin protestingin the 1990s

1980s developments:

• Growing commercialization of biotech: RDLPs and biopatenting policies

• From lab containment to deliberate release– Field testing of ice minus (1982-1987)– EPA steps in as regulator

• Risk assessment: geneticists vs. ecologists