What's in a name

Are Cultured Red Blood Cells 'Natural

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2249376
AutoresEmma King (0000-0003-3611-9647, NMAHP Research University of Stirling UK, autor correspondente), Catherine Lyall (0000-0002-4814-7357, School of Social and Political Science University of Edinburgh UK)
Ano2018
Volume40
Fascículo4
Páginas687-701
Data de publicação2018-05-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-9566.12717
PMID29498085
OpenAlexW2790361408
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas40

The case of cultured red blood cells (RBCs) currently being grown in a laboratory for future use in human transfusion raises questions about the ontological status of such products of modern biotechnology. This paper presents results from a six-year ethnographic study involving interviews, focus groups and other forms of engagement with the scientific research team and other stakeholders, including public groups, which sought to understand respondents' reactions to cultured RBCs. These cells, derived from stem cell technology, have the potential to address the global shortage of donated blood. How these blood cells are situated within the spectrum of 'natural' to 'synthetic' will shape expectations and acceptance of this product, both within the scientific community and by wider publics: these blood cells are both novel and yet, at the same time, very familiar. Drawing on discussions related to classification and 'anchoring', we examine the contrasting discourses offered by our respondents on whether these blood cells are 'natural' or not and consider the impact that naming might have on both their future regulation and the eventual uptake of cultured RBCs by society

Biology · Economic shortage · Environmental ethics · Natural (archaeology) · Political science · Public relations · Situated · Sociology · Blood donation and transfusion practices · Blood transfusion and management · Epigenetics and DNA Methylation · Immunology