ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides an account of the usefulness of metaphors in communicating the complexity associated with modern biotechnology and genetic engineering. It discusses the resonance of cartographic metaphors associated with the 'mapping' of the human genome, especially those dealing with various kinds of boundaries. The book examines the European Community programme, 'Predictive Medicine/Human Genome Analysis', illustrates conditional parliamentary and public participation in European science and technology policy decision making. It describes the way in which the Human Genome Mapping Project Resource Centre was part of the organisational response within the UK to the introduction of 'big science' into the field of molecular biology. The book explores the effectiveness of using yeast genome research as an organisational model for large-scale genomic research.
