Browsing by Author "Rademan, Anna Elizabeth"

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    Creating expectations : the bioethics of genetics as reflected in selected South African media with specific reference to CRISPR-Cas9
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Rademan, Anna Elizabeth; Claassen, George; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the era of genetic engineering, the CRISPR-Cas9 system has been hailed as one of the most important genetic discoveries and is often discussed in terms of its momentous potential applications on health. However, from a bioethical perspective, the technology poses several challenges with regards to safety, regulation and human enhancement. The field of genetic engineering and bioethics have moved from academic journals to the mass media. The news media’s reporting on complex bioethical issues such as CRISPR-Cas9 can influence the public’s perception and understanding thereof. Literature confirms that the news media, as part of the public domain, also shape subsequent ethical policies and regulations. Therefore, this study aims to investigate expectations that the South African media create surrounding the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system. In the South African context, academic research in this area is still limited. Situated in the field of journalism studies, this study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative content analysis of CRISPR-Cas9 related articles from the top 10 most popular South African news media sites between January 2013 and June 2019. The study extended knowledge in the field of science and bioethics reporting in the South African news media. Certain problems were observed with regards to evidence-based science journalism as not enough attention was given to specific research applications or methodological aspects of CRISPR-Cas9 and therefore it is difficult for the audience to separate science hype from evidence-based research. The bioethical debate is evident in the articles analysed and showed the tension between the promotion of science but also the caution towards the risks of CRISPR-Cas9. These risks include technical, ethical, legal, and social aspects that need to be addressed before it will be ethically acceptable to use the technology on the human germline. The media play a pivotal part in facilitating the public debate and encouraging public discussion about the governance of the technology. The theory of framing played an important role, and the use of frames can be useful as an aid to explanation and creating cultural and social meaning. However, the choice of frames should be carefully considered because they may misrepresent and mislead public perception of the technology. The news media should perhaps not resurrect old frames such as the Frankenstein myth but instead develop new meaningful metaphors together with evidence-based science journalism.