On the concept of the gene from Mendel to Personalized Genomics

This is a thesis investigation of the gene. I trace the history of gene concepts to present, highlighting two different conceptions: the material and the instrumental. I draw attention to two dialectics, that between the two gene concepts, and that between gene concepts and technological advancement. I use this analysis to outline and situate two contemporary gene concepts, one descriptive, the other part descriptive and part normative. These concepts are deployed in the examination of a contemporary application of genetic technologies, the Internet-based Personalized Genomics industry.