Controversy, innovation and social movements: Stem cell research paths in Canada

This work examines the role that social movements have played in stem cell research developments in Canada, and the related political context. Several theoretical perspectives are drawn upon in order to characterize and analyze distinct characteristics of this case. The social shaping of technology literature underlines the normative dimensions of this new technology and the importance of paying attention to a broader range of actors than scientists and policy makers. This literature also offers comparable cases and strategies for making sense of the important dimensions of controversy. Stem cell research has been exceptionally controversial at both the political and technical level. At this early stage of development, the main source of controversy in stem cell research is related to the sources that may be acceptable for research, e.g., adult stem cells and embryonic. This dissertation focuses on an important set of actors, patient groups and the pro-life movement, that have had an important impact on the development of stem cell technology in Canada. It examines the strategies and effects of these movements on political and technical developments, although the technology has yet stabilized. The social movements literature helps to characterize the nature of these groups: i.e., defined by specific interests and by specific action strategies (including networking with other likeminded actors, reframing technical understandings, and developing political and technical expertise). This again highlights points of controversy as key moments of analysis: technological controversies are sites where we can see how movements develop strategies and expertise that influence developments, often in response to risk concerns. Actor Network Theory (ANT) is used to examine how these movements shape specific developments related to stem cell research. ANT offers a useful tool for analyzing how actors, and specifically social movements in this case, are enrolled into networks, and weaken networks through their activities. The activities of patient groups and pro-life groups are examined during the period of policy debate around stem cell research. Patient groups are then followed into the period following the passing of legislation as a way to investigate their activities related to subsequent technical developments and to explore their continued to respond controversy. Social movements play an important role in shaping controversial technologies at the subpolitical level. Work on late-modernity underlines the importance of risk issues and the subpolitical social and political space within which much of the work influencing the development of stem cell research in Canada has taken place. In sum, this case study sheds light on how social movements play a role in governing and shaping scientific and technological innovations.