Biotechnology under construction, the role of business groups in Mexico

Abstract

Biotechnology is a technoscience that involves the convergence of a multiplicity of actors. Given its characteristics in direct relation to life, environment, economy and society, it is essential to study the dynamics associated with each group and social space. The objective of this article is to characterize and analyze the type of business actors related to biotechnology and how they have contributed to the social construction of the technological phenomenon in Mexico, specifically, we ask about what is the symbolic discourse that these groups have built on biotechnology? And what are the values, rules and norms that each business association has? The methodology is qualitative and involved the analysis of three organized groups of biotechnology entrepreneurs in Mexico through interviews and participant observation. The results show that there are important differences between the three groups analyzed in the symbolic constructions of discourse, based on their position and relevance based on an asymmetric position of power.