This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Nerlich, B. Articles by Clarke, D. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Nerlich, B. Articles by Clarke, D. D. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

The Book of Life: How the Completion of the Human Genome Project was Revealed to the Public

University of Nottingham, UKBrigitte.Nerlich{at}nottingham.ac.uk

Robert Dingwall

David D. Clarke

University of Nottingham, UK

The production of a ‘working draft’ of the human genome was announced on 26 June 2000 at a linked US/UK press conference involving President Clinton and Prime Minister Blair. This article analyses the politicians’ speeches, the accompanying press releases, with contributions from leading scientists associated with the project and British national newspaper coverage of this event. We ask why research on the human genome has not led to widespread negative reactions comparable to those provoked by cloning and GM food. Part of the answer lies in the metaphors, images, literary and cultural references used in the announcement of this development, especially by scientists and politicians attempting to steer the discourse towards public euphoria. Much of this rhetoric draws on the projected benefits for medicine and health care, particularly ‘dread diseases’ like cancer. Nevertheless some of the print media still focused on the ‘negative’ tropes of ‘designer people’ and on ‘genetic determinism’.

Key Words: health care • genetics • media • metaphor • political discourse • rhetorical devices

Health:, Vol. 6, No. 4, 445-469 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/136345930200600403


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Haran and J. Kitzinger Modest witnessing and managing the boundaries between science and the media: A case study of breakthrough and scandal Public Understanding of Science, November 1, 2009; 18(6): 634 - 652. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Rodder Reassessing the concept of a medialization of science: a story from the "book of life" Public Understanding of Science, July 1, 2009; 18(4): 452 - 463. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Gerhards and M. S. Schafer Two normative models of science in the public sphere: human genome sequencing in German and US mass media Public Understanding of Science, July 1, 2009; 18(4): 437 - 451. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. S. Schafer From Public Understanding to Public Engagement: An Empirical Assessment of Changes in Science Coverage Science Communication, June 1, 2009; 30(4): 475 - 505. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Weingart, C. Salzmann, and S. Wormann The social embedding of biomedicine: an analysis of German media debates 1995--2004 Public Understanding of Science, July 1, 2008; 17(3): 381 - 396. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Michelle `Human clones talk about their lives': media representations of assisted reproductive and biogenetic technologies Media Culture Society, July 1, 2007; 29(4): 639 - 663. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. Dingwall and M. Aldridge Television wildlife programming as a source of popular scientific information: a case study of evolution Public Understanding of Science, April 1, 2006; 15(2): 131 - 152. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. O'Mahony and M. S. Schafer The 'Book of Life' in the Press: Comparing German and Irish Media Discourse on Human Genome Research Social Studies of Science, February 1, 2005; 35(1): 99 - 130. [Abstract] [PDF]