• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.2 no.1 s.3
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• pp.107-134
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• 2002

Recently, society's relationship with science is in a critical phase. There was never a time when the issues involving science were more exciting. Many people are deeply uneasy about the safety and ethics of bio-technology. On the other hand, this could be interpreted as a dynamic process in which a new relationship between science and public is reshaping. And in this new relationship citizen participation in science is not a option but a necessity. This article is a case study of 1970's re-combinant DNA debate. Early 1970's bio-technology saw the emergence of an enormously powerful new methodology, recombinant DNA technology. But, at the outset, this technology posed many potential dangers. Concern over possible hazards prompted hot debates and conflict between leading scientists and community, In this process Cambridge Laboratory Experiment Lion Review Board (CERB) is organized by Cambridge City Coun il for assessing the possible risk of recombinant DAN technique. This is one of the first citizen-initiated participation movement in bio-technology. And the debates has come to be a principal focus for many of the most important questions concerning citizen participation in science. This study make a attempt to analyze CERB case. In conclusion, we can confirm the possibility of civil participation in science policy making and decision making from CERB case study. Still, we also realize the limit of CERB case.