New genetic knowledge and 'lay' expertise in cancer research: exmaining the cultural context of ethics and legitimacy. (360G-Wellcome-068432_Z_02_B)

The project examines the social parameters of 'lay expertise' in relation to cancer research charities. It seeks to explore how lay consumers', fundraisers' or patients' perspectives and involvement are being incorporated within organisational practices and research agendas of charities that are funding research into cancer genetics. This initiative provides a vantage point from which to explore the pursuit and problems surrounding ethical legitimacy in the cultural context of the new genetics. This issue will be addressed by examining how emerging genetic knowledge and the development of lay expertise affect: The pre-existing balance between lay and expert and the nature of the 'gift' relationship in cancer research charities Attempts to incorporate lay perspectives and sustain 'hope' Social relations among different fundraisers and personhood in the context of lay expertise. The transactional social spaces of cancer research charities offer an important arena for ethnographic inquiry and therefore the opportunity to contribute to an understanding of science as a social process.