Love in the Time of GMOs Feminist Theolgies and the Ethics of Transgenic Organisms

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Marks, Susan

Keywords

Transgenic Organisms, Feminism, Cyborg

Area of Concentration

Religion

Abstract

Transgenically modified organisms raise important questions into ways that human and non-human histories combine and what kinds of responsibilities we have to one another. This thesis asks questions about actors at stake in the transgression of borders between species and how religious discourse can be involved. In response to criticisms that monotheistic religions perpetuate hierarchies of humans over nonhumans, I examine ways that religion can be both liberating and exploitative in human relationships with nature. Because of worldviews that biotechnology carry with them around the world, some argue that GMOs cause a "cultural invasion." Taking seriously these challenges, but also acknowledging ways that this kind of rhetoric ignores the liberating possibilities of breaking down constructed boundaries, I draw upon feminist counter-critiques. Feminist theologies create spaces of particular importance to discuss these issues and the roles that religious worldviews play in constructions of nature because of the focus on embodied knowledge. Religious worldviews are one of the many layers in these connections and while they can be problematic in public discourse and policy, they have the potential to be involved in liberating ways.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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