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SUMMARY:Biotechnological artefacts and the in vivo/in vitro problem - Emma
  Tobin (University College London)
DTSTART:20240307T153000Z
DTEND:20240307T170000Z
UID:TALK211918@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Lewis Bremner
DESCRIPTION:Biochemical approaches to macromolecules are characteristicall
 y reductionist\, in that they seek to explain biomolecules in terms of und
 erlying chemical processes and structures. Antireductionist accounts are s
 ceptical of reductionist research strategies because they underestimate th
 e biological context and the role of biochemical function. The in vivo-in 
 vitro problem is one reason for this scepticism\; namely it is impossible 
 to perform a chemical investigation in vivo. In vitro biochemical explanat
 ions are highly idealised resulting from analyses of pure compounds under 
 artificial experimental conditions.\n\nThis paper argues that the in vivo/
 in vitro distinction is further problematized in emerging biotechnologies.
  As biomolecules are developed and engineered and as they evolve the clear
  distinction that we might make between naturally occurring complex macrom
 olecules and those that are the result of biotechnological innovations is 
 difficult to maintain. Emerging biotechnologies often involve man-made or 
 manipulated artefacts designed with a desired biological function. I will 
 use the case of viruses to explore the distinction between natural phenome
 na as opposed to biotechnologically designed phenomena such as bacteriopha
 ges and mRNA vaccines. These cases make the prospects for a purely chemica
 l account of biotechnological molecules look unpromising. Focusing on chem
 ical explanations of biological phenomena downplays the contexts of biolog
 ical phenomena\; because the contexts of production\, innovation\, and evo
 lution in the case of biotechnological artifacts are not properly consider
 ed.
LOCATION:Large Lecture Theatre\, Department of Plant Sciences\, Downing Si
 te
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