Description
Emphasizing themes of control control of nature with science, control of science and scientists by the state, etc. Schneider (Chinese history, Washington U. in St. Louis) traces the history of genetic science in China from the 1920s to the turn of the century. He argues that a vibrant community of American-trained geneticists arose in the 1920s and 30s, but were eclipsed by the transformative attitudes towards science promoted by anarchist geographer Peter Kropotkin and the later Lysenkoism promulgated by the Soviet Union. Maoist efforts to articulate and achieve "mass science" are then described. Post-Maoist efforts to re-enter mainstream science are analyzed as a product of political economy and state policy. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Read More
Using the field of genetics as a case study, this book follows the troubled development of modern natural science in China from the 1920s, through Mao's China, to the present post-socialist era. Through detailed portraits of key scientists and institutions, basic dilemmas are explored: how to control nature with science, how to gain independence from foreign-controlled science, how to get scientists out from under control of ideology and the state. Using the field of genetics as a case study, this book follows the troubled development of modern natural science in China from the 1920s, through Mao's China, to the present post-socialist era. Through detailed portraits of key scientists and institutions, basic dilemmas are explored: how to control nature with science, how to gain independence from foreign-controlled science, how to get scientists out from under control of ideology and the state.
Read Less