Framing the GeneGene discourse in the media –a comparative framing analysis

Rebecca CarverPhD StudentInstitute of Basic Medical ScienceFaculty of MedicineUniversity of Oslo

Science and the Public ConferenceImperial College London19.05.07

– A region of DNA that controls a discrete hereditary characteristic, usually corresponding to a single protein or RNA.

– This definition includes the entire functional unit, encompassing coding DNA sequences, noncoding regulatory DNA sequences, and introns.”

What is a gene?

Alberts (2002) The Cell.

– “Gene” introduced 1909

– An abstract concept, a “quasi-mythical entity” (E. F. Keller 2000)

– 1953: the gene becomes a material reality. Central dogma established.

– 1977: One gene can make several proteins.

– 2000: HUGO project.

– Today: ”postgenomic gene” debate. What is a gene?

Historical sketch

Dynamic(catalyst)

Molecule

LIFE

ReplicatorCausal agent

Code/Information

Inheritance

Evolution

Genes in the news

               

Designer baby OK

Fags? It’s in your genes

               

Why is it dangerous to clone humans?

Now I know why I

craved burgers

Economic success is in the genes Human code fully cracked

Gene doubles risk of breast cancer

Ozzy’s genes got me addicted to drugs

DNA analysis will cut breast chemotherapy

Gene clue to finding cureDrunk? It’s in your genes

Gene cheats: the newrisk posed to world sport

– Hypothesis: The media use different frames that affect people’s understanding of the gene concept.

– Aim: to identify and analyse these gene frames and how they affect public understanding of gene-related issues.

– Method: Framing analysis of 300 Norwegian and British newspaper articles.

This study

– ”A representation of reality” Jenny Kitzinger (2006)

– ”A central organizing idea for making sense of an issue.” Gamson & Modigliami (1989).

What is a frame?

By selecting:

– Facts

– Context

– Ideas, descriptions & examples

– Metaphors and symbols

– Sources

– Keywords and catchprases.

– Images

How do journalists “frame”?

Framing analysis

– A method for identifying and analysing different frames.

– Pilot study.

– Develop coding book.

– Randomized article selection.

– Develop SPSS datasheet.

– Coding + inter-coder reliability check

– Interpretation

– The mass media are the most important source of information about science for the general public. (Nelkin 1995, Nisker & Daar 2006, Ideland 2002).

– “Media coverage both reflects and influences public knowledge” (Martin Bauer 2005).

– Efficient - readily available, archived in electronic databases and reliable.

– Internet becoming more important.

– The printed press occupies a strong position in Norway. 90% of over 13s read at least one newspaper a day. (Hviid Nielsen in Gaskell & Bauer 2001)

Why newspapers?

– Framing genes and mental illness in the news.Peter Conrad (2001)

– The DNA Mystique Nelkin and Lindee (1995)

– The Meanings of the Gene Celeste Condit (1999)

Previous studies

– Applies framing analysis to a single scientific concept.

– Explores the European situation and compares social context.

– Analysis of gene discourse in the postgenomic era.

A new approach

Results

(so far!)

1. Materialistic: A discrete physical unit of DNA that codes for protein.

2. Deterministic: Definite cause for trait.

3. Anti-deterministic: Criticizes genetic determinism.

4. Relativistic: Gene in context.

5. Evolutionary frame: Evolutionary argument.

6. Selfish: Genes as self-replicators (Dawkins).

7. Environment: Emphasize environmental factors.

8. Symbolic: Far-removed from biological form & function. E.g ”Saab with USA genes”.

Gene frames

Why put human genes in rice? Tim Radford

Why not? A gene is a gene is a gene, says Christopher Leaver, Sibthorpian professor of plant sciences at Oxford.

Plants, animals and humans often have very similar versions of the same genes, to carry out the same function. Among these are genes that make enzymes called cytochrome P450s, which break down and detoxify poisonous chemicals… …"You could synthesise this thing, if you knew the sequence, in the lab. It doesn't actually have to come from a human," he says. "It's DNA. It's a chemical." (END)

28 April 2005MATERIALISTIC

A gene is a gene is a gene

Gene for true love

SCIENTISTS have identified a "love gene" that keeps couples faithful.

They found transferring it to randy prairie voles can make them stay loyal to one mate. And they think it also affects human romantic behaviour.

The team at a medical school in Atlanta, Georgia, report their findings today in the leading journal Nature. Leader Dr Larry Young said: "Our study provides evidence that changes in the activity of a gene profoundly can change a fundamental social behaviour of animals." (END)

17 June 2004DETERMINISTICSYMBOLIC

– Beer-gut gene

– Entrepreneurial gene

– Perching on your arse gene

– Fashion gene

– Werewolf gene

– Randy gene

– Frankenrunner gene

– Ford gene

– French gene, American gene

– Breast cancer gene

Did you know there was a...

35,000 people get bowel cancer every year

KNOWING you carry the gene for a deadly disease can feel like a death sentence … Javine Hylton discovered she carries the gene for bowel cancer when she was 17…

…Doctors discovered that Colette and Javine, like Paula, now 49, all carried the rare APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene, which predisposes people to bowel cancer.

Fact FileFollow the advice below and you will reduce your chances of contracting bowel cancer in the first place… *exercise * healthy weight & diet * less alcohol * stop smoking.

17 June 2004

Genetic mutation linked to depression - Researchers find inheritance factor in succumbing to life's woes.

A common mutation in a single gene could make the difference between fighting back against life's assaults and sinking into clinical depression, according to research out today…

...The research is a reminder that biology is not destiny: some people with the weak form of the gene survived their troubles without being depressed, and some people with the strong form succumbed. But it reinforces the idea that human outcomes depend on a cocktail of genetics, environment and personal history, the researchers say...

28 April 2005RELATIVISTIC

Vitamins change colour of baby miceUS researchers have altered the colour and disease susceptibility of newborn mice by feeding their mothers extra vitamins during pregnancy.

The study is the first to find a clear mechanism for the effect of maternal nutrition on disease development in mammals without mutating the offspring's genes…

7 August 2003

RELATIVISTIC/ENVIRONMENTAL

ME AND MY CAR

DAVE GORMAN

I drive a Vauxhall Corsa , it might be a 1.2 litre, then again it might be a 1.4 - I can't honestly remember and I'm not about to go outside and find out. It's red if that helps. My Dad's obviously failed to pass on his petrolhead genes.

27 November 2004SYMBOLIC

Dominant Gene Frame

Other Gene Frames

Differences between Newspapers

Implications/

discussion

– Advantages: news value, definite, certainty, sensational, importance.

– Disadvantages:

– discounts the environmental context, which is important for understanding disease and health.

– May affect people’s personal attitudes and behaviours. E.g. cancer, smoking. (Roxanne Parrott et al. 2004)

– Genetic discrimination (Hubbard and Ward 1993).

Deterministic frame

– Advantages:

– insightful, broader understanding of genes and environment

– important for health communication & public understanding of disease and health

– Disadvantages: Problems with communicating it, especially in tabloid form.

Relativistic frame

– Advantages: positive, fun, essence of life.

– Disadvantage: far-removed from its biological context, mystifying, confusing, trivial.

Symbolic frame

1. The gene concept is more straightforwardly employed in media discourse than in scientific.

2. Three most prominent gene frames are deterministic, relativistic and symbolic.

3. Deterministic and symbolic are most common. The tabloid paper The Sun contains the highest proportion of both.

4. A relativistic understanding is important for health communication.

5. We need to promote more relativistic framing! But how do we do it?

Conclusion

1. Inter-coder reliability check

2. Rhetorical/semiotic analysis of visual material.

3. Focus group reception study.

4. Communication courses?

Next steps

Jarle Breivik, Associate Professor Institute of Basic Medical Science.

Ragnar Waldahl, Professor Institute of Media & Communication.

Special thanks to

• Bauer, M.W. (2005) ”Public perceptions and mass media in the biotech. Controv.” Int. J. Pub. Opinion Research 17(1): 5-22.

• Condit, C., Ofulue, N. And Sheedy, K. (1998) ”Determinism and Mass-Media Portrayals of Genetics” In Am. J. Human Genetics 62: 979-984.

• Condit, C. (1999) The Meanings of the Gene.• Conrad, Peter (2001) ”Genetic optimism: Framing Genes and

Mental Illness” In Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry 25: 225-247.

• Gaskell, G. And Bauer, M. (2001) Biotechnology 1996-2000): The Years of Controversy. Science Museum.

• Ideland, M. (2002) Gene News of Today.• Keller, E. F. (2001) The Century of the Gene.• Khoury, M., Burke, W. And Thomson, E. eds. (2000) Genetics

and Public Health in the 21st Century. Nelken, D. (1995) Selling Science.

• Nelkin, D. And Lindee, S. (2004) The DNA Mystique.• Nisker, J. & Daar, A. (2006) ”Moral presentation of genetics-

based narratives for public understanding...” PUS 15: 113-123.

• Petersen, A. (2001) ”Biofantasies: genetics and medicine in the print news media” In Social Science & Medicine 52: 1255-1268.

• Reese, D. et al. Framing Public Life. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, New Yersey.

References