The Blurred Lines Between Science and Religion in Malta: An Analysis of Discourse around Reproductive Technology Policy in a European Union Island Nation

• In Event: The Language of STI Policy in the 21st Century - I

Abstract

This undergraduate research presentation utilizes tools and perspectives from STS, history, and the social sciences in order to deconstruct the dichotomy between scientific and religious paradigms within the small island country of Malta, specifically exploring these dynamics in the context of public discourse and policymaking regarding emerging reproductive technologies. Malta, a predominantly Catholic European Union nation of approximately 500,000 people, is undergoing rapid political, social, and economic changes. Exploring the governance of reproductive technologies, specifically surrogacy and embryo freezing policy in Malta, provides a case study for the investigation of the coproduction and blurring of religious and technological paradigms. The Maltese must navigate their identity as “European”/EU members, an identity that pushes the country in a progressive, left-leaning direction, and its identity as a small, conservative Catholic island, which prides itself in religious tradition, history, and conservative values. The ebb and flow of these multiple Maltese identities brings the relationship between science and religion into sharp focus, as a diverse array of voices speaking as an authority on the topic of reproductive technologies emerge from religious, scientific, and policy communities. The discourse generated by these figures demonstrates that scientific and religious paradigms become blurred in this context. The multiple lenses of this issue provide a prominent example of complex conversations that occur between the sciences and religion. The presentation will demonstrate that science and religion cannot be neatly and dichotomously blackboxed by analyzing the positions, dialogues, and artifacts produced by key religious, scientific, and political figures in Malta.

Authors

• Nolan Robert Harrington, James Madison University

• Shannon Conley, James Madison University