The Development of Technological Systems in Biomedical Research: The Case of Amniocentesis

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Amniocentesis is the technique which permits diagnostic analysis of fetal chromosomes. As currently practiced, it involves four separate steps: ultrasonographic imaging, amniotic tapping, cell culturing, and chromosomal analysis. Thus, amniocentesis should be regarded not as a technology but as a technological system. Like many 20th century technological systems, the first phase of its development--the research phase--was heavily dependent upon scientists and scientific advances. Professor Cowan is undertaking with this grant a history of this research phase in the development of the technological system known as amniocentesis. Each of the separate steps in the system of amniocentesis was developed by specialists in quite different fields (geneticists, engineers, cytologists, research physicians, clinicians) and perfected under different historical constraints, different times, in different countries. The "research phase" of the history of amniocentesis is thus extremely complex and raises significant questions about effective science and technology policies. Further, because amniocentesis is used as a diagnostic tool which may lead to abortion, the process also entails not only the feasibility but also the legality of abortions--a step that raises difficult ethical issues as well as attendant questions about the ways in which ethical concerns determine the direction of scientific and technological research. Under this research grant, Professor Cowan will examine the specialized literature and examine archives in genetics, engineering, cytology and medicine to trace the development of the several components of this technological system.