Contesting Mitochondrial Donation: The Cluster Against

Abstract

In contrast to the coalition approach of the for-cluster, the against-cluster included a smaller set of institutions and individuals with different reasons for opposition. This cluster were unable and sometimes unwilling to mobilise around a centralised and connected campaign, and operated a set of boundary and alignment work practices to navigate and mitigate misalignment among themselves, particularly in relation to issues of science, the secular, and the religious. We explore the ways in which each cluster reflected on the activities of the other, and how this positioning shaped their own actions, strategies and future thinking. While the against-cluster recognised distinct challenges of operating against a well-resourced and dominant mainstream position, those in the for-cluster positioned themselves as respectful of alternative voices and the democratic process.