What's in a name

Are Cultured Red Blood Cells 'Natural

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2249376
AutoresEmma King (0000-0003-3611-9647, NMAHP Research University of Stirling UK, autor de correspondencia), Catherine Lyall (0000-0002-4814-7357, School of Social and Political Science University of Edinburgh UK)
Año2018
Volumen40
Número4
Páginas687-701
Fecha de publicación2018-05-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-9566.12717
PMID29498085
OpenAlexW2790361408
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias 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