Natural and Unnatural

The book Natural and unnatural provides an original contribution to the understanding of the many voices of the current debate on the humananimal relationship and on animal biotechnology, in particular. Drawing from the Social Representation Theory, the author examines the belief systems behind the animal rights movement and sheds light on the construction of the meaning of animals and nature in modern society. Moreover, the activists’ and lay people’s perceptions of animal biotechnology is explored in order to reveal the reasons behind the widespread opposition to such technology in Europe. The representation of animal biotechnology is discussed in the light of the attitudes toward science and in the process of symbolic coping with new technologies.