Routledge Atoms, Bytes and Genes: Public Resistance and Techno-Scientific Responses

Explore how public resistance has shaped the development of modern techno-science in this scholarly examination of nuclear power, computing, and genetic engineering. This Routledge academic work traces historical debates surrounding atoms, bytes, and genes-metonymies for the transformative technologies of the 20th century. The book argues that public opinion plays a decisive role in determining the trajectory of techno-scientific advancement, using an innovative pain analogy to demonstrate how resistance impacts innovation and policy. Drawing on historical controversies with real consequences, this volume provides sociological insight into the complex relationship between scientific progress and public acceptance, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of how technological development is negotiated through social discourse and citizen engagement.