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The social construction of science, risk and expertise. (Interfaces).

Article Excerpt
Sociologists and chemists have more in common than many realize. Like sociology, chemistry is interested in reactions. On a basic level, a reaction represents an observable response to some change in a system. Add chemical x to a vat containing chemical y and observe what happens. Using the scientific method, chemists minimize the presence of confounds, and make appropriate conclusions based on what they observe. Ideally, these reactions occur in a 'closed system.'

Sociologists observe reactions, too. Using a variation of the scientific method, sociologists observe how people react to new technologies and the changes they engender. Sociologists observe these reactions in 'open systems.' These different modes of generating knowledge collide frequently when new scientific innovations emerge. Why does this happen? Can this observation help us understand why natural scientists view the world differently than social scientists? Why do experts assess the risks and benefits associated with new technologies differently than non-experts?

The Rise of the New Luddite

Technology does not exist in a vacuum. All technologies generate social change and affect, in varying degrees, individuals, groups, institutions, etc. For example, the introduction of the pen changed how information is recorded. A pen is portable, relatively inexpensive and creates semi-permanent markings. However, the pen represents a further shift away from orality. It created a note-taking culture and lessened our reliance on short-term memory. The pen also helped consolidate the power of bureaucracies where a reliance on efficiency and order is paramount. Legal documents are generally signed in ink. The pen plays a prominent role in our society and can be found in almost all institutions, including those where information and communication technology dominate. If these transformations occur when a relatively simple technology is introduced, what can be said about the introduction of innovations in polymer chemistry, biotechnology, information technology and nanotechnology?

Developments in science are assumed automatically to have generalized benefits to society. Scientific discoveries are judged as more or less valuable based on how readily they can be converted into scientific innovations that produce wealth and enhance economic competitiveness. It is worth noting that not everyone agrees with...