Local mutations: on the tentative beginnings of molecular oncology in Britain 1980–2000
Popular and scientific accounts of the molecularisation of cancer typically attribute it to advances in laboratory science, particularly molecular geneticists. However, historical research has indicated that clinical expertise input was often vital for advancing such work. The present paper reinforc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2021-01-01
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| Series: | New Genetics and Society |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2021.1880887 |
| _version_ | 1797681228166463488 |
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| author | Steve Sturdy |
| author_facet | Steve Sturdy |
| author_sort | Steve Sturdy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Popular and scientific accounts of the molecularisation of cancer typically attribute it to advances in laboratory science, particularly molecular geneticists. However, historical research has indicated that clinical expertise input was often vital for advancing such work. The present paper reinforces that view. Looking in detail at British research into the molecular genetics of familial cancers during the 1980s and 1990s, it shows that that research, too, depended on crucial input from family cancer clinics. Moreover, the development of clinical services for familial cancers was in turn shaped by the demands of contributing to molecular genetic research. The paper concludes that accounts of the molecularisation of cancer that suppose a one-way transfer of knowledge and practice from laboratory to clinic misrepresent the complex interactions that were involved in molecularising familial cancers, and that were informed by the particular local and national circumstances in which they took shape. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:42:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-57f3ba29d4954af28c160d1a07bd6e2a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1463-6778 1469-9915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:42:13Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | New Genetics and Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-57f3ba29d4954af28c160d1a07bd6e2a2023-09-19T15:22:18ZengTaylor & Francis GroupNew Genetics and Society1463-67781469-99152021-01-0140172510.1080/14636778.2021.18808871880887Local mutations: on the tentative beginnings of molecular oncology in Britain 1980–2000Steve Sturdy0University of EdinburghPopular and scientific accounts of the molecularisation of cancer typically attribute it to advances in laboratory science, particularly molecular geneticists. However, historical research has indicated that clinical expertise input was often vital for advancing such work. The present paper reinforces that view. Looking in detail at British research into the molecular genetics of familial cancers during the 1980s and 1990s, it shows that that research, too, depended on crucial input from family cancer clinics. Moreover, the development of clinical services for familial cancers was in turn shaped by the demands of contributing to molecular genetic research. The paper concludes that accounts of the molecularisation of cancer that suppose a one-way transfer of knowledge and practice from laboratory to clinic misrepresent the complex interactions that were involved in molecularising familial cancers, and that were informed by the particular local and national circumstances in which they took shape.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2021.1880887molecular oncologyfamilial cancersmolecularisationgenetic testingbioclinical collectives |
| spellingShingle | Steve Sturdy Local mutations: on the tentative beginnings of molecular oncology in Britain 1980–2000 New Genetics and Society molecular oncology familial cancers molecularisation genetic testing bioclinical collectives |
| title | Local mutations: on the tentative beginnings of molecular oncology in Britain 1980–2000 |
| title_full | Local mutations: on the tentative beginnings of molecular oncology in Britain 1980–2000 |
| title_fullStr | Local mutations: on the tentative beginnings of molecular oncology in Britain 1980–2000 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Local mutations: on the tentative beginnings of molecular oncology in Britain 1980–2000 |
| title_short | Local mutations: on the tentative beginnings of molecular oncology in Britain 1980–2000 |
| title_sort | local mutations on the tentative beginnings of molecular oncology in britain 1980 2000 |
| topic | molecular oncology familial cancers molecularisation genetic testing bioclinical collectives |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2021.1880887 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT stevesturdy localmutationsonthetentativebeginningsofmolecularoncologyinbritain19802000 |