Abstract
This chapter is concerned with the development of scientific knowledge as a social activity. Specifically, the recent formulation of scientific knowledge of early cell differentiation represented in the term ‘pre-embryo’ is investigated. I examine the circumstances giving rise to the perception and articulation of the concept ‘pre-embryo’, and outline how this particular interpretation of perceived events in nature’ is being incorporated as knowledge within the scientific community. That is, I examine the social infrastructure which gave rise to the expression and incorporation of this concept. In so doing, I show the connection between particular goals and interests relating to experimentation on embryos derived from women’s eggs,1 and the development of the concept ‘pre-embryo’ within science.
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© 1990 British Sociological Association
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Crowe, C. (1990). Whose Mind Over Whose Matter? Women, In Vitro Fertilisation and the Development of Scientific Knowledge. In: McNeil, M., Varcoe, I., Yearley, S. (eds) The New Reproductive Technologies. Explorations in Sociology. British Sociological Association conference volume series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-20548-6_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-20548-6_2
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-46560-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-20548-6
eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies CollectionSocial Sciences (R0)