This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hedgecoe, A. Articles by Martin, P. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Drugs Don't Work

Expectations and the Shaping of Pharmacogenetics

Institute for the Study of Genetics, Biorisks and Society (IGBiS), University of Nottingham, A.M.Hedgecoe{at}sussex.ac.uk

Paul Martin

Institute for the Study of Genetics, Biorisks and Society (IGBiS), University of Nottingham

This article examines one particular set of technologies arising from developments in human genetics, those aimed at improving the targeting, design and use of conventional small molecule drugs - pharmacogenetics. Much of the debate about the applications and consequences of pharmacogenetics has been highly speculative, since little or no working technology is yet on the market. This article provides a novel analysis of the development of pharmacogenetics, and the social and ethical issues it raises, based on the sociology of technological expectations. In particular, it outlines how two alternative visions for the development of the technology are being articulated and embedded in a range of heterogeneous discourses, artefacts, actor strategies and practices, including: competing scientific research agendas, experimental technologies, emerging industrial structures and new ethical discourses. Expectations of how pharmacogenetics might emerge in each of these arenas are actively shaping the trajectory of this nascent technology and its potential socio-economic consequences.

Key Words: expectations • genetics • genomics • biotechnology • pharmaceutical • ioethics

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Abraham Building on Sociological Understandings of the Pharmaceutical Industry or Reinventing the Wheel? Response to Joan Busfield's `Pills, Power, People' Sociology, August 1, 2007; 41(4): 727 - 736. [PDF]

				M. Horst Public Expectations of Gene Therapy: Scientific Futures and Their Performative Effects on Scientific Citizenship Science Technology Human Values, March 1, 2007; 32(2): 150 - 171. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Selin Expectations and the Emergence of Nanotechnology Science Technology Human Values, March 1, 2007; 32(2): 196 - 220. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Hedgecoe Pharmacogenetics as Alien Science: Alzheimer's Disease, Core Sets and Expectations Social Studies of Science, October 1, 2006; 36(5): 723 - 752. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Macnaghten, M. B. Kearnes, and B. Wynne Nanotechnology, Governance, and Public Deliberation: What Role for the Social Sciences? Science Communication, December 1, 2005; 27(2): 268 - 291. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Mirowski and R. Van Horn The Contract Research Organization and the Commercialization of Scientific Research Social Studies of Science, August 1, 2005; 35(4): 503 - 548. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Shostak The Emergence of Toxicogenomics: A Case Study of Molecularization Social Studies of Science, June 1, 2005; 35(3): 367 - 403. [Abstract] [PDF]

				O P Corrigan Pharmacogenetics, ethical issues: review of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics Report J. Med. Ethics, March 1, 2005; 31(3): 144 - 148. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]