Historians of science have long been interested in the relationship between the making of scientific knowledge and emerging forms of nationalistic thinking. This panel gives a comparative examination of the intertwining of biology and nationalism in twentieth-century Korea and China. Consisting of early-career scholars working on issues of how nationalism informs biologists’ approaches to knowledge-making in colonial Korea and Republican China, this panel aims to shed light on some of the core themes underlying the two modern East Asian states’ encounters with biology and nationalism. Wendy Fu will examine the national, scientific, and commercial significance of the soybean as a vital technology in relation to the changing industrial and agricultural contexts in Republican China. Christine Luk will assess the emergence of marine biology as a critical factor for national salvation in Republican China, highlighting the centrality of the ocean for biological study and nation-building. Manyong Moon will explore the legacy of Japanese colonialism on three Korean biologists’ career patterns and research activities. Tae-Ho Kim will consider the demise of barley cultivation in the contexts of colonial and postcolonial South Korea. From marine biology to food science, this panel brings together some of the latest research in the history of biology in modern East Asia, emphasizing the value of cross-regional comparison.
