Citizen biologists

Lab‐scale intervention

“…In light of this challenge, new forms of interaction are developing between social and natural scientists to strengthen the connections between science and society. As Jacques Dubochet has observed, “Given the public's increasing interest in and scrutiny of the life sciences, it is important that natural scientists engage in debates with their colleagues from the social sciences and humanities about the implications and social impact of their work” (Dubochet, 2008). Similarly, social scientists and humanists have started to undertake ‘convergence work’ (Stegmaier, 2009); interdisciplinary research aimed at crossing the boundaries between natural and social sciences.…”

The rock ‘n’ roll of knowledge co‐production

“…Thus, it seems that society and genomics has a future. Dubochet reported that the programme he initiated in the 1980s (Dubochet, 2008) at Lausanne is still expanding even after his retirement; society and genomics has become a theme repeated throughout the entire biology course at the university. Similarly, Verhoeff noted that his DNA labs for Citizenship project could be a perfect contribution to the standard science curriculum in the Netherlands, as requested by the Dutch Biology Curriculum Innovation Board (Nijmegen, the Netherlands).…”

Genomics for citizens

“…Most took a defensive attitude, arguing that the results were likely to be wrong and certainly irrelevant, because marriage and the stability of couples are socio‐historical issues that are unrelated to genes. Although this story is anecdotal, it indicates that the rift between social scientists and biologists seems to remain very wide indeed, at least at Lausanne (Dubochet, 2008).…”

“…In response to this challenge, at the Université de Lausanne we have established a mandatory Biology and Society curriculum for biology students, which begins at the very start of a bachelor of science degree and continues throughout (http://www.unil.ch/biologiesociete/page48286.html; Dubochet, 2008). The curriculum involves not only members of the biology department, but also social scientists, philosophers and ethicists, as well as experts in a range of specific research fields and ethical or legal areas.…”