Framing the Gene Gene discourse in the media – a comparative framing analysis Rebecca Carver PhD Student Institute of Ba

1. Framing the Gene Gene discourse in the media –a comparative framing analysis Rebecca Carver PhD Student Institute of Basic Medical Science Faculty of Medicine University of Oslo Science and the Public Conference Imperial College London 19.05.07

2. What is a gene? • 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.” Alberts (2002) The Cell.

3. Historical sketch • “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?

4. LIFE Evolution Molecule Inheritance Dynamic (catalyst) Causal agent Replicator Code/Information

5. Now I know why I craved burgers Designer baby OK Fags? It’s in your genes Why is it dangerous to clone humans? Economic success is in the genes Ozzy’s genes got me addicted to drugs DNA analysis will cut breast chemotherapy Human code fully cracked Gene cheats: the new risk posed to world sport Drunk? It’s in your genes Genes in the news Gene clue to finding cure Gene doubles risk of breast cancer

6. This study • 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.

7. What is a frame? • ”A representation of reality” Jenny Kitzinger (2006) • ”A central organizing idea for making sense of an issue.” Gamson & Modigliami (1989).

8. How do journalists “frame”? By selecting: • Facts • Context • Ideas, descriptions & examples • Metaphors and symbols • Sources • Keywords and catchprases. • Images

9. 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

10. Why newspapers? • 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)

11. Previous studies • 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)

12. A new approach • Applies framing analysis to a single scientific concept. • Explores the European situation and compares social context. • Analysis of gene discourse in the postgenomic era.

13. Results (so far!)

14. Gene frames • Materialistic: A discrete physical unit of DNA that codes for protein. • Deterministic: Definite cause for trait. • Anti-deterministic: Criticizes genetic determinism. • Relativistic: Gene in context. • Evolutionary frame: Evolutionary argument. • Selfish: Genes as self-replicators (Dawkins). • Environment: Emphasize environmental factors. • Symbolic: Far-removed from biological form & function. E.g ”Saab with USA genes”.

15. MATERIALISTIC 28 April 2005 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) A gene is a gene is a gene

16. DETERMINISTIC SYMBOLIC 17 June 2004 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. Did you know there was a... • 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

18. 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 File Follow 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

19. RELATIVISTIC 28 April 2005 Genetic mutation linked to depression - Researchers find inheritance factor in succumbing to life's woes. A common mutation in a single genecould 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...

20. RELATIVISTIC/ ENVIRONMENTAL 7 August 2003 Vitamins change colour of baby mice US 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…

21. SYMBOLIC 27 November 2004 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.

22. Dominant Gene Frame

23. Other Gene Frames

24. Differences between Newspapers

25. Implications/ discussion

26. Deterministic frame • 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).

27. Relativistic 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.

28. Symbolic frame • Advantages: positive, fun, essence of life. • Disadvantage: far-removed from its biological context, mystifying, confusing, trivial.

29. Conclusion The gene concept is more straightforwardly employed in media discourse than in scientific. Three most prominent gene frames are deterministic, relativistic and symbolic. Deterministic and symbolic are most common. The tabloid paper The Sun contains the highest proportion of both. A relativistic understanding is important for health communication. We need to promote more relativistic framing! But how do we do it?

30. Next steps Inter-coder reliability check Rhetorical/semiotic analysis of visual material. Focus group reception study. Communication courses?

31. Special thanks to Jarle Breivik, Associate Professor Institute of Basic Medical Science. Ragnar Waldahl, Professor Institute of Media & Communication.

32. References • 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.