ANDROCENTRIC BIAS IN SCIENCE - AN EXPLORATION OF THE DISCIPLINE OF FOREST GENETICS

The scientific discipline of forest genetics, or population genetics o f forest trees, is examined for instances of androcentric bias. An ana lysis of background literature in theoretical population genetics as w ell as population genetics of forest trees is integrated with issues d erived from the literature encompassing feminist critiques of science and experiential evidence, Examples of gender-related biases in the co ntent area of forest genetics are presented along with illustrations o f masculine biases in both the process of ''doing'' science as well as the ideology underlying science. Even though androcentric bias is evi denced at all levels of inquiry, it is evaluated as nonproblematic in the content area and in the process of ''doing'' science. However, two fundamental issues, the domination of nature and the neglect of socia l and environmental responsibility, are highlighted as major problems at the level of the foundation or ideology of science.