Prenatal Testing: Individual Decision or Distributed Action?

Bernhard Wieser, Mag. Dr., studied Philosophy and Education with a focus on lifelong learning at the University of Graz. Since 1 April 2005 he has been an "Honorary Research Associate" at the Institute for Environment, Philosophy, and Public Policy of the University Lancaster. In his research he carries out projects on ethical, legal and social aspects of human genetics, and he is in charge of the fellowship programme at the Institute for Advanced Studies on Science, Technology and Society, Graz. In his previous projects Bernhard Wieser focused on the development of problem solving strategies related to the controversy over genetic engineering with special emphasis on the implementation oriented character of science communication initiatives. Related research focussed on the implications of science communication on genetic engineering. He has experience both in quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (ethnographic in-depth interviews, participant observation, focus groups) approaches to sociological research. wieser@ifz.tugraz.at Sandra Karner, Mag., studied Biology with a focus on Zoology at the University of Graz. The main fields of her research are the social and environmental impacts of modern biotechnology and risk assessment of genetic engineering. Sandra Karner is in charge of INFOgen, a public information service, which provides information about basics and applications of modern biotechnology. Sandra Karner organises events, public lectures, seminars and continuing education courses for different vocational groups. She advises arious institutions on designing such information events, finds experts for specific topics, provides advice on teaching materials and gives instructions on how to find information in the internet. The target group of INFOgen consists of multipliers such as teachers, adult education trainers, environmental counsellors, and persons concerned with health, food, nutrition, or agriculture. From a knowledge transfer and teaching perspective Sandra Karner's work focuses on small and medium settings that make interactive communication and client orientation possible. karner@ifz.tugraz.at Wilhelm Berger, Ao.Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr., philosopher and social scientist, Professor at the Faculty for Interdisciplinary Studies of Klagenfurt University, Department of Research on Science and Technology, Visiting Lecturer at the University of Rome (Tor Vergata), Lecturer at the universities of Klagenfurt, Vienna and Graz, head of different research projects, among them an ELSA Project in the framework of GEN-AU: Prenatal Testing: individual decision or distributed action?. Main topics: Philosophy of technology, cultural studies, history of philosophy. Wilhelm Berger has numerous publications in the field of science and technology studies. He has rich experience in carrying out interdisciplinary research projects and provides theoretical as well as empirical knowledge of a high standard. wilhelm.berger@uni-klu.ac.at IFZ is the Graz unit of the Faculty for Interdisciplinary Studies (IFF) of the University of Klagenfurt.