Borna disease virus: the generation and review of a scientific study.

The paper uses interviews and observational data gathered among a group of UK scientists and civil servants responsible for managing a study examining the possible transmission to humans of Borna disease virus (BDV), a disease primarily of farm animals. From a science and technology studies perspective, the paper examines the social processes whereby this scientific problem (possible human transmission) was constituted as a worthy topic of scientific investigation, came to receive funding, and was subjected to independent review. It appears that BDV research displays only some of the characteristics of 'post-normal science' with little participation by extended peer communities.