The Flow of Scientific Knowledge from Lab to the Lay Public: The Case of Genetically Modified Food (original) (raw)
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Politics and the life sciences : the journal of the Association for Politics and the Life Sciences, 2018
In May 2016, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released the report "Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects," summarizing scientific consensus on genetically engineered crops and their implications. NASEM reports aim to give the public and policymakers information on socially relevant science issues. Their impact, however, is not well understood. This analysis combines national pre- and post-report survey data with a large-scale content analysis of Twitter discussion to examine the report's effect on public perceptions of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We find that the report's release corresponded with reduced negativity in Twitter discourse and increased ambivalence in public risk and benefit perceptions of GMOs, mirroring the NASEM report's conclusions. Surprisingly, this change was most likely for individuals least trusting of scientific studies or university scientists. Our findings indicate that ...
The Social Science Journal, 2008
Genetically modified (GM) food is a highly controversial topic. Research has shown that individuals gather information on controversial issues predominantly from newspapers. This paper compares newspaper coverage of GM food during the years 1993-2003 within two U.S. and two U.K. newspapers. The data suggests a greater affinity for similar coverage within the same country than between similar regions in different countries. Regardless of the geographic location, newspaper coverage appears to be event driven. The study reported here represents an exploratory engagement with GM food; we suggest that the topic warrants further study by geographers.
2010
A geographic cross-section national sample of 20 major US newspapers investigated variations in coverage of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods using a community structure approach. * (Ph.D., Stanford University), is professor and chair, communication studies department, The College of New Jersey. Is the author of the book "Tilted Mirrors: Media Alignment with Political and Social Change – A Community Structure Approach", Cresskill, New Jersey, Hampton Press. All other article authors were undergraduates at The College of New Jersey when the genetically-modified food study was undertaken. Palabras Clave: Alimentos transgénicos, periódicos, diarios, la estructura comunitaria, Vector Mediático, periodismo, agricultura, la política pública, la economía política
Estimating the Public Value of Conflicting Information: The Case of Genetically Modified Foods
Land Economics, 2004
A BSTR A CT. Environm ental groups have befood products other than those that norcom e the chief antagonists toward agricultural biomally carry allergens (See Friends of the technology innovations. T hey dem onstrate and dis-Earth 2001; Greenpeace International 2001). seminate private inform ation with the objective of Through press releases, web sites, and prochanging the behavior of consum ers and produc-The authors are, respectively, research economist at neering for development of new products. RTI International; Charles F. Curtiss D istinguished Pro-They demonst rate and disseminate inforfessor, Department of E conomics, Iowa State U niversity; Stroock D istinguished Professor of Natural R e-mation, representing their self-interest, source Conservation and Management, D epartment of with the goal of affecting consu mers' (and E conomics and Finance, U niversity of Wyoming; and possibly produce rs') behavior . G reenpeace, senior economist, Food and Rural E conomics Divifor example, claims that the unknown efsion, U SD A . This work was supported through a grant from the fects of using G M products could be disas-Cooperative State R esearch, E ducation, and E xtension trous to the environment and human health, Service, U .S. Department of Agriculture, under A greethat multinational agribusine ss companies ment 00-52100-9617, and by the Iowa A griculture and control genetic modification, and that G M Home E conomics E xperiment Station, A mes, Iowa. Thanks to Todd Sandler for his comments and to semi-foods pose a risk of allergens spreading to nar participants at North Carolina State University and RTI International for their helpful commen ts. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent
Artificial selection, a method by which evolution occurs, is a process in which an organism is modified to fulfill a specific purpose. For instance, the evolution of corn dates back about 10,000 years ago. Farmers in Mexico recognized that not all plants were identical and that some were locally more adapted. Through unconscious selection and open pollination, the first landraces developed. Further progresses allowed for conscious selection. However, farmers and companies quickly realized that crossing parent plants to create hybrids was too time-consuming to be economically viable. Backcrossing reduced the time required to obtain an organism with the desired trait. Further technological developments made organic food possible through the utilization of atomic gardening. Recent progress in genetics has enabled creation of so-called GMOs, or genetically modified organisms. All of the developed methods (open pollination, mutation breeding, atomic farming, CRISPR/Cas) have a common goal: to adjust the organism to express a specific trait. Nevertheless, some of the methods are seen as potentially dangerous. Furthermore, the scientists' and public opinion on GMOs are different which raise concerns about scientific and critical literacy regarding GMOs. The present article investigates the misconception that distinguish genetically modified organisms based on the method by which they have been created and relates this misconception to literacy (scientific/critical) and critical thinking. A new term, " Adjusted Organism, " is proposed to enable a fresh, unbiased view for future discussions. Key-words- Genetically Modified Organisms, Critical literacy, Scientific literacy, Bioethics, Gene editing, GM food, Governance of science and technology
International Journal of Internet Education, 2017
Purpose: To investigate the role of public relations and mass media as an influence on public attitudes about GM and organic foods. Design/Methodology: The study involved a comprehensive analysis of four prominent UK newspaper articles, which discussed the topic of GM and organic foods. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were carried out with specialists in different areas of interest regarding the topic of GM and organic foods. Public attitudes and knowledge of GM and organic foods were explored by conducting Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and reviewing relevant literature from two existing studies in 2009 and 2010. Originality/Value: This study will establish a balanced inquiry into the role of public relations and mass media when it comes to explaining GM and organic foods to the public. Hence, the study offers empirical evidence derived from credible studies as well as a rigorous analysis alongside the significant insight and knowledge of key figures in the fields of science, public relations, media, and journalism, and that of common UK folk. Findings: This study found that while public knowledge of GM and organic foods varied, there was no doubt about the influence of public relations on the journalism industry. Interestingly, newspapers' influence on public attitudes toward GM and organic foods was not strong. Limitations: The main limitations within this study were sample size related to FGDs. Ideally, a much larger number of participants would be helpful in supporting the hypothesis of this study.
Political Economy of the Media and Consumer Perceptions of Biotechnology
American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 2004
Although households are flooded with information through dozens of TV channels, plenty of newspapers, journals, and radio, the public is said to be poorly informed on many important issues. For example, European consumers oppose genetically modified (GM) foodsdespite scientists and official institutions claiming those products are safe. These reactions are blamed on consumers being poorly informed.