Is Dandelion Rubber More Natural? Naturalness, Biotechnology and the Transition Towards a Bio-Based Society

J Agric Environ Ethics, 2015

22 Pages Posted: 8 Mar 2015

See all articles by Hub Zwart

Hub Zwart

Radboud University Nijmegen, Faculty of Science, ISIS; EUR

Lotte Krabbenborg

Radboud University Nijmegen

Jochem Zwier

Radboud University Nijmegen

Date Written: March 6, 2015

Abstract

In the unfolding debate on the prospects, challenges and viability of the imminent transition towards a ‘Bio-Based Society’ (BBS) or ‘Bio-based Economy’ (BBE) - i.e. the replacement of fossil fuels by biomass as a basic resource for the production of energy, materials and food - ‘big’ concepts tend to play an important role, such as, for instance, ‘sustainability’, ‘global justice’ and (last but not least) ‘naturalness.’ The latter concept is, perhaps, the most challenging and intriguing one. In public debates concerning biotechnological interactions with the natural environment, the use of terms such as ‘nature’ and ‘naturalness’ is both inevitable and hazardous (given the fact that they are so notoriously difficult to define). Indeed, various conflicting interpretations of naturalness play a role on both sides (pro and con) of the current debate. This paper aims to analyse and critically assess the role of ‘nature-speak’ in the BBS transition. We will begin with a concise overview of the vicissitudes of the nature-concept so far, focusing on how modern science and technology have challenged and affected our understanding of what nature is. Subsequently, we describe how ‘naturalness’ functions in the unfolding BBS debate. Finally, we will focus on a particular case study, namely the production of rubber with the help of natural latex coming from Dandelion plants rather than from (tropical) rubber trees. On the one hand, this is presented as a more natural and nature-friendly way of producing rubber. On the other hand, it is a sophisticated process, involving high technology and primarily focused on competitiveness on the global market. To what extent or in what sense can dandelion latex be regarded as more natural? And what can we learn from this case study when it comes to addressing naturalness in the broader conceptual and bio-political arena?

Keywords: Concept of nature, naturalness, sustainability, Bio-based society, Bio-based economy, Biotechnology, Genetic Modification, Dandelion latex

Suggested Citation

Zwart, Hub and Krabbenborg, Lotte and Zwier, Jochem, Is Dandelion Rubber More Natural? Naturalness, Biotechnology and the Transition Towards a Bio-Based Society (March 6, 2015). J Agric Environ Ethics, 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2574825

Hub Zwart (Contact Author)

Radboud University Nijmegen, Faculty of Science, ISIS ( email )

P.O. Box 9010
Nijmegen, 6500GL
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www.filosofie.science.ru.nl/

EUR ( email )

Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3000 DR Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland 3062PA
Netherlands

Lotte Krabbenborg

Radboud University Nijmegen ( email )

Postbus 9108
Nijmegen, 6500 HK
Netherlands

Jochem Zwier

Radboud University Nijmegen ( email )

Postbus 9108
Nijmegen, 6500 HK
Netherlands

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