Self-similarity and synthetic biology: a possible fractal anticipation
In the field of synthetic biology, a promissory technoscience, researchers use risk-based and speculative scenarios to anticipate synthetic biology futures. Yet, there is a sense in the field of history repeating as synthetic biologists repeatedly deal with similar challenges. Perhaps a focus on con...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Responsible Innovation |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23299460.2024.2345457 |
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| author | Robert Meckin |
| author_facet | Robert Meckin |
| author_sort | Robert Meckin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the field of synthetic biology, a promissory technoscience, researchers use risk-based and speculative scenarios to anticipate synthetic biology futures. Yet, there is a sense in the field of history repeating as synthetic biologists repeatedly deal with similar challenges. Perhaps a focus on contemplating the unexpected and attempts to deal with complex futures comes with a failure, paradoxically, to prepare sufficiently for the expected. This study develops a conceptual framework derived from fractals and analyses data from ethnographic involvement in the field synthetic biology to reimagine how patterns in synthetic biology practices repeat at different orders of scale. This study begins with the ‘pressure testing’ of a biofoundry and shows how synthetic biology repeats at different scales of organisation, interaction and time. The case is made for a possible fractal anticipation which would have the capacity to identify patterns and support innovators, social scientists and researchers to be better prepared for encountering similar developments at different orders of magnitude. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1267424a04834d16bb06e08a21499b93 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2329-9460 2329-9037 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Responsible Innovation |
| spelling | doaj-art-1267424a04834d16bb06e08a21499b932025-01-07T13:48:20ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Responsible Innovation2329-94602329-90372024-12-0111110.1080/23299460.2024.2345457Self-similarity and synthetic biology: a possible fractal anticipationRobert Meckin0School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UKIn the field of synthetic biology, a promissory technoscience, researchers use risk-based and speculative scenarios to anticipate synthetic biology futures. Yet, there is a sense in the field of history repeating as synthetic biologists repeatedly deal with similar challenges. Perhaps a focus on contemplating the unexpected and attempts to deal with complex futures comes with a failure, paradoxically, to prepare sufficiently for the expected. This study develops a conceptual framework derived from fractals and analyses data from ethnographic involvement in the field synthetic biology to reimagine how patterns in synthetic biology practices repeat at different orders of scale. This study begins with the ‘pressure testing’ of a biofoundry and shows how synthetic biology repeats at different scales of organisation, interaction and time. The case is made for a possible fractal anticipation which would have the capacity to identify patterns and support innovators, social scientists and researchers to be better prepared for encountering similar developments at different orders of magnitude.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23299460.2024.2345457Engineering biologyfractalanticipationsimilarityrepetition |
| spellingShingle | Robert Meckin Self-similarity and synthetic biology: a possible fractal anticipation Journal of Responsible Innovation Engineering biology fractal anticipation similarity repetition |
| title | Self-similarity and synthetic biology: a possible fractal anticipation |
| title_full | Self-similarity and synthetic biology: a possible fractal anticipation |
| title_fullStr | Self-similarity and synthetic biology: a possible fractal anticipation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-similarity and synthetic biology: a possible fractal anticipation |
| title_short | Self-similarity and synthetic biology: a possible fractal anticipation |
| title_sort | self similarity and synthetic biology a possible fractal anticipation |
| topic | Engineering biology fractal anticipation similarity repetition |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23299460.2024.2345457 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT robertmeckin selfsimilarityandsyntheticbiologyapossiblefractalanticipation |