Doris Zallen Papers, 1952-2016

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694

Summary

Extent:
10 Cubic Feet; 13 boxes
Creator:
Zallen, Doris T.
Abstract:
The collection contains meeting notes from the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, Doris Zallen's professional papers, book reviews, and background on Zallen's published papers from 1960 to 2016. Doris Zallen attended Brooklyn College and Harvard University before becaming a professor of Science and Technolgy Studies and Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Science at Virginia Tech. This collection follows Zallen's acadamic work from the undergraduate to graduate level, post-doctoral appointments, and her genetic research and teaching. Included in this collection is Zallens research on the Liverpool School which providedresearches the medical advance of the prevention of Rh disease.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Doris Zallen Papers, Ms2018-032, contain content from Doris Zallen's professional work with genetic research, discussions, and testing from 1960 to 2016.

The records are divided into six series including: I. Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee Service, 1990-1999; II. Professional Papers, 1960-2016; III. Book Reviews, 1962-2010; IV. Background information on Published Papers, 1980-2008; V. Ethics and Advisory Board, 1979; and VI. Liverpool School, 1952-2012.

In the first series, Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee Service, 1990-1999, each folder relates to the Recombinant Advisory Committee. They include meeting notes, correspondence within the organization, and notes from conferences.

The second series, Professional Papers, 1960-2016, outlines Doris Zallen's academia starting with her education at Brooklyn College, Harvard University, and the University of Rochester. This series includes manuscripts from her teaching and research careers at Nazareth College of Rochester and Virginia Tech. Zallen's professional papers include research, summaries of sabbaticals and other leaves, consulting, teaching awards, and student and faculty correspondence.

Series III, Book Reviews, 1962-2010, includes book reviews from other scholars about Zallen's research: "Science and Morality", "Does it Run In the Family?," and "To Test or Not to Test?" This series also includes a poster from a discusion led by Zallen about genetic testing and images from "Does it Run In the Family?"

The fourth series, Background information on Published Papers, 1980-2008, contains published and unpublished articles by Doris Zallen and other scholars about genes from 1980 to 2008.

The fifth series, Ethics and Advisory Board, 1979, consists of the report, conclusions, and appendix from the Human in Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer study.

The last series, Liverpool School, 1952-2012, consists of background information, publications, interviews, and pictures from Zallen's research of the prevention of Rh disease.

Biographical / historical:

Doris Zallen received her bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College and completed her graduate and doctoral work at Harvard Univeristy. Zallen focused her research on the social, ethical, and policy issues of genetic technologies. She came to Virginia Tech in 1983 and retired as professor of Science and Technology Studies and Humanities in 2015. Zallen published three books and created the Choices and Challenges Forum series at Virginia Tech. In 1991 Zallen interviewed David Weatherall who sparked Zallen's research on the prevention of Rh disease and the role the Liverpool School played in that medical advance.

Acquisition information:
The Doris Zallen Papers were donated to Special Collections in July 2018. Additions were donated in March 2019 and December 2019.
Arrangement:

The Doris Zallen Papers are organized into the following series:

  • Series I. Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (NIH) Service, 1990-1999
  • Series II. Professional papers, 1960-2016
  • Series III. Book Reviews, 1982-2010
  • Series IV. Background Information on Published Papers, 1980-2008
  • Series V. Ethics Advisory Board, 1979
  • Series VI. Liverpool School, 1952-2012