Human embryos as boundary objects? Some reflections on the biomedical worlds of embryonic stem cells and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

Abstract

In this paper we offer some reflections on embryos in the biomedical worlds of embryonic stem cells (ESC) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). We draw upon two ethnographic studies of the social practices of PGD and embryonic stem cell science to examine the notion of boundary objects as an approach for understanding the social construction of embryos. We analyze the ways in which human embryos have similar and different meanings in the related social worlds of ESC and PGD labs through a discussion of two major themes: the goals of PGD and ESC; and linking the worlds of ESC and PGD. We suggest the interface between the two cultures of PGD and ESC science can facilitate the flow of concepts, skills, materials and techniques within and between these two social worlds. In conclusion, we argue this is a salient case study of the production of biomedicine as a social and material practice in the emerging sphere of new medical technologies.

Keywords:

• human embryos
• boundary objects
• pre-implantation genetic diagnosis
• embryonic stem cells
• new medical technologies

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all those who participated in this research, and acknowledge the support of the ESRC Stem Cell Initiative (grant no: RES-340-25-0003), and The Wellcome Trust Biomedical Ethics Programme (grant no: 074935).