Exploring the post-genomic world: differing explanatory and manipulatory functions of post-genomic sciences

Abstract

Richard Lewontin proposed that the ability of a scientific field to create a narrative for public understanding garners it social relevance. This article applies Lewontin's conceptual framework of the functions of science (manipulatory and explanatory) to compare and explain the current differences in perceived societal relevance of genetics/genomics and proteomics. We provide three examples to illustrate the social relevance and strong cultural narrative of genetics/genomics for which no counterpart exists for proteomics. We argue that the major difference between genetics/genomics and proteomics is that genomics has a strong explanatory function, due to the strong cultural narrative of heredity. Based on qualitative interviews and observations of proteomics conferences, we suggest that the nature of proteins, lack of public understanding, and theoretical complexity exacerbates this difference for proteomics. Lewontin's framework suggests that social scientists may find that omics sciences affect social relations in different ways than past analyses of genetics.

Ethical Principles, Constraints, and Opportunities in Clinical Proteomics

“…Ten articles highlighted the importance of observing relevant national and regional regulations, especially regarding informed consent, which was often presented as a makeshift or actual solution ( 24 , 25 , 26 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 41 , 43 ). However, it was noted that existing regulation may not be adequate to address issues of interoperability, efficiency, and duties owed to patients and to scientific progress; and there were calls for discussion within the field of clinical proteomics ( 32 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 41 ).…”

“…Because clinical proteomics relies on contributions from scientists all over the world and may eventually impact patient welfare on a global scale, 11 of the included articles and that of Geyer et al. ( 9 ) pointed to the lack of, and need for, international guidance on ethical issues ( 24 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 43 ), as well as the need for international collaboration on ethical and scientific issues.…”

"No Silver Bullet Solution": Cruel Optimism and Canada’s COVID-19 Public Health Messages

“…We combine Holmes' and Krautwurst's prior ethnography in scientific settings with an analysis of Canadian public health briefings in order to provide context for the hopes and complexities surrounding technoscience within the pandemic. Holmes' research involved conference ethnography of proteomics science (or the large-scale study of proteins), as well as qualitative interviews with scientists (Holmes et al 2016a;2016b;Holmes, McDonald and Jones 2021). Krautwurst's ethnographic research focused largely on participant observation within the offices or laboratories of neuroscientists.…”

CPGminer: An Interactive Dashboard to Explore the Genomic Features and Taxonomy of Complete Prokaryotic Genomes

“…Since the complete sequencing of the first prokaryotic genomes, those of the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae in 1995 [2] and the archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii in 1996 [3], the number of prokaryotic genome sequences publicly available has grown exponentially (Figure 1) [4,5]. We are now in the postgenomic era, where genome sequencing is a standard procedure and the increasing quantity and diversity of generated sequences have significant implications for data storage and analysis [6].…”