은유로서의 DNA - 유전자 담론에 대한 인문학적 성찰 -

초록

Science explains complicated nature with a law. In this course, metaphors connect the real world with theories. For this reason, the metaphors often show nature well, and hide some aspects of it as well. 「Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids (Watson & Crick)」 opened up an age of molecular biology by proposing copying mechanism of double helix. In this article, metaphors play a role in making semantic grounds to decipher codes of life. Model metaphors to describe double helices as specific concrete images separate DNA from vital phenomenon to free them from mysterious objects. And machine metaphors give DNA characteristics of precise and robust machine which works systematically. ‘Copying mechanism’ was the first clue to deciphering codes of life. However, through personification, the chemical molecular mass of DNA is transferred into an independent organism which works precisely. Here, an immortal image of DNA is created. The reason why gene determinism still exerts a powerful effect is deeply associated with the influence of DNA metaphors. Seeing science with metaphors is an effort to get out of its autonomy myth. And it is a method of enjoying scientific knowledge in a balanced way without falling into the trap of a dogma.

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