
Impartial Science
Gender Ideology in Molecular Biology
Bonnie Spanier(Author)
Indiana University Press
Published on 22. September 1995
Book
Hardback
232 pages
978-0-253-32892-2 (ISBN)
Description
"Spanier's critique brings the strengths of feminist science theory to the heart of contemporary science. Moreover, Spanier speaks to natural scientists and to feminist scholars as a scientist, and that is especially valuable to both groups. The book is original, interesting, ambitious, and well-conceptualized." - Sandra Harding. Scientists present biology, the science of life, as impartial and objective. This book offers evidence to the contrary, showing that what counts as mainstream biology - in this case, the biology of life at the cell and molecular levels - is actually a partial vision skewed by invisible biases. "Im/partial Science" examines the reproduction of knowledge about molecular biology, exploring what the formal discourse of scientists and scientist-educators in molecular biology reveals about the impact of traditional gender beliefs on this ostensibly nongendered subject matter. Bonnie Spanier illuminates the biases, distortions, and implicit values in this field by analyzing its language, paradigms, and major principles.
In textbooks and scientific journals, for example, nongendered bacteria are described as 'male' and 'female', often in the service of traditional models of dominant-subordinant relationships. By treating the impact of sexual ideology on our thinking about 'the building blocks of life', Spanier calls for a cooperative relationship between science and feminism and helps us understand science in the social, economic, and political contexts in which it is inextricably enmeshed.
In textbooks and scientific journals, for example, nongendered bacteria are described as 'male' and 'female', often in the service of traditional models of dominant-subordinant relationships. By treating the impact of sexual ideology on our thinking about 'the building blocks of life', Spanier calls for a cooperative relationship between science and feminism and helps us understand science in the social, economic, and political contexts in which it is inextricably enmeshed.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Bloomington, IN
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
8 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
500 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-253-32892-2 (9780253328922)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
Preface Acknowledgements Part I: Context and Methodology 1. Molecular Biology from a Feminist Perspective An Introduction 2. Bridging the Gulf Feminism and Molecular Biology 3. Methodology Part II: Gender Ideology in the Content of Molecular Biology 4. Sex and the Single Cell Distorting Genetics 5. Sex and Molecules From Hormones to Brains 6. From Menstruation to DNA Centralized Control 7. Power at a Price Unifying Principles Part III: Science and Society in Molecular Biology 8. Molecular Biology Disinterested Science? Conclusion: Strengthening the Bridge Appendix A. Fields of Graduate Study in Biology Appendix B. Field Definitions from PetersonOs Guide Appendix C. Fields and Techniques Notes Index