Synthetic biology: How the use of metaphors impacts on science, policy and responsible research

Synthetic biology: How the use of metaphors impacts on science, policy and responsible research

​​​​​​​Edited by 
Carmen McLeod, Synthetic Biology Research Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK
Brigitte Nerlich, Emeritus Professor of Science, Language and Society, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Nottingham, UK

Metaphors are not just decorative rhetorical devices that make speech pretty. They are fundamental linguistic and cognitive tools for thinking about the world and acting on the world. Researchers interested in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) are interested in creating a world in which research and innovation happen responsibly, taking the needs of people from all walks of life into account. The language we use to make a better world matters; words matter; metaphors matter. Words have consequences, even ethical, social and legal, as well as political and economic consequences. They need to be used with care and be studied with care. They need to be used ‘responsibly’.

In the context of synthetic biology, natural and social scientists have become increasingly interested in metaphors, a wave of interest that we want to exploit and amplify in this collection. Articles and books on synthetic biology, metaphors of life and the ethical and moral implications of such metaphors is an emerging topic of international interest. Specific metaphors, from books and editing to programming and machines, have been discussed in other posts. And there are many more out there.

This special issue presents interdisciplinary and international discussion of the impact that metaphors can have on science, policy and publics in the context of synthetic biology. This will include background on the current RRI agenda and consideration of the increasing pressure on scientists to demonstrate ‘responsibility’ (Nerlich & McLeod 2016).

The collection will introduce questions that are important in this context, such as: Can we distinguish between metaphors that are used unconsciously or lazily and metaphors which are chosen consciously to stimulate hopes, fears, financial investment or emotional reactions; metaphors that inspire, challenge traditional thinking or entrench established prejudices; metaphors that are good for something or some people but detrimental to others; and finally, are there metaphors that travel between groups and connect people and metaphors that create barriers and divide people? What are the implications of these and other metaphors for RRI?

1. Content Type:Research

   Evolutionary tinkering vs. rational engineering in the times of synthetic biology

   Synthetic biology is not only a contemporary reformulation of the recombinant DNA technologies of the last 30 years, combined with descriptive language imported from electrical and industrial engineering. It i...

   Authors:Víctor de Lorenzo

   Citation:Life Sciences, Society and Policy 2018 14:18

   Published on: 12 August 2018

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2. Content Type:Research

   Who are the users of synthetic DNA? Using metaphors to activate microorganisms at the center of synthetic biology

   Synthetic biology, a multidisciplinary field involving designing and building with DNA, often designs and builds in microorganisms. The role of these microorganisms tends to be understood through metaphors mak...

   Authors:Erika Amethyst Szymanski

   Citation:Life Sciences, Society and Policy 2018 14:15

   Published on: 14 July 2018

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3. Content Type:Research

   Synthetic biology in the German press: how implications of metaphors shape representations of morality and responsibility

   Synthetic biology (SynBio) represents a relatively young field of research which has developed into an important scientific endeavour. Characterised by a high degree of interdisciplinary work crossing discipli...

   Authors:Martin Döring

   Citation:Life Sciences, Society and Policy 2018 14:14

   Published on: 24 June 2018

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4. Content Type:Research

   Machine metaphors and ethics in synthetic biology

   The extent to which machine metaphors are used in synthetic biology is striking. These metaphors contain a specific perspective on organisms as well as on scientific and technological progress. Expressions suc...

   Authors:Joachim Boldt

   Citation:Life Sciences, Society and Policy 2018 14:12

   Published on: 4 June 2018

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5. Content Type:Research

   Scientific iconoclasm and active imagination: synthetic cells as techno-scientific mandalas

   Metaphors allow us to come to terms with abstract and complex information, by comparing it to something which is structured, familiar and concrete. Although modern science is “iconoclastic”, as Gaston Bachelar...

   Authors:Hub Zwart

   Citation:Life Sciences, Society and Policy 2018 14:10

   Published on: 14 May 2018

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6. Content Type:Research

   Synthetic biology, metaphors and responsibility

   Metaphors are not just decorative rhetorical devices that make speech pretty. They are fundamental tools for thinking about the world and acting on the world. The language we use to make a better world matters...

   Authors:Carmen McLeod and Brigitte Nerlich

   Citation:Life Sciences, Society and Policy 2017 13:13

   Published on: 29 August 2017

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