Literature, Science, and Public Policy
From Darwin to Genomics

Literature, Science, and Public Policy shows how literature can influence scientific controversies and shape policy concerning evolution, genetics, and genomics.

Jay Clayton (Author)

9781009263528, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 August 2023

290 pages
28 x 19 x 2.3 cm, 0.51 kg

'Jay Clayton has provided a state-of-the-art toolkit for humanities scholars engaging with policy, but also for their Deans, PVCs, Vice-Chancellors, and funding bodies who support interdisciplinary research and outward-facing institutions. Clayton's expert knowledge of literary history and lifelong collaborations in science and technology will be of interest to anyone who wants informed opinion on literature and science, evolution, epigenetics, the modern synthesis, and genomics.' Regenia Gagnier, University of Exeter

Literature, Science, and Public Policy shows how literature can influence public policy concerning scientific controversies in genetics and other areas. Literature brings unique insights to issues involving cloning, GMOs, gene editing, and more by dramatizing their full human complexity. Literature's value for public policy is demonstrated by striking examples that range from the literary response to evolution in the Victorian era through the modern synthesis of evolution and genetics in the mid-twentieth century to present-day genomics. Outlining practical steps for humanists who want to help shape public policy, this book offers vivid readings of novels by H. G. Wells, H. Rider Haggard, Aldous Huxley, Robert Heinlein, Octavia Butler, Samuel R. Delany, David Mitchell, Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Kazuo Ishiguro, Gary Shteyngart, and others that illustrate the important insights that literary studies can bring to debates about science and society. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Preface
Part I. Literature and Science Policy: 1. A new project for the humanities: Ian McEwan
Part II. Deep Time: 2. Victorian chimeras: H. G. Wells, Thomas H. Huxley
3. Cain's legacy: the mark of Lamarck in late-Victorian fiction: Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Samuel Butler, H. Rider Haggard, Wilkie Collins
4. Evolution in the tropics: neo-Victorian fictions: A. S. Byatt, Andrea Barrett, David Mitchell
Part III. The Modern Synthesis: 5. Genetics and dystopia in the Huxley circle: Aldous Huxley, J. B. S. Haldane, Julian Huxley
6. The ridicule of time: science fiction and the posthuman: Robert A. Heinlein to Octavia Butler
Part IV. Genome Time: 7. Time considered as a helix of infinite possibilities: Samuel R. Delany
8. Biodystopia: Gary Shteyngart, Philip Kerr, Margaret Atwood
9. Clones and other sorrows: Kazuo Ishiguro
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Literary theory [DSA]