Absence in Science, Security and Policy

de Brian Rappert, Brian Balmer

We all, in everyday life, routinely ignore far more things than we pay attention to. This is no less the case in the science policy-making process, thus making the processes by which some matters become salient or absent open to empirical and theoretical investigation. In this respect, Absence in Science, Security and Policy addresses two main questions: how can people and institutions concerned with the ethical, legal and social implications of science and medicine become more mindful about the implications they are not addressing? How can the recognition of such absences be translated into analysis that is practically relevant? This edited volume explores the absent and missing in debates about science and security. Through a range of case studies, including biological and chemical weapons control, science journalism, nanotechnology research and neuroethics, the contributors explore how matters become absent, ignored or forgotten and the implications of this for ethics, policy and society.