Framing of CRISPR in Popular News Media
Keywords:
CRISPR, mediaAbstract
In this paper, I investigate popular media's framing of CRISPR and its involvement in germline gene therapy. I examine the depiction of a single controversial event regarding CRIPSR from many popular news sources. Each news article critiques Junjiu Huang's use of CRISPR to genetically modify human embryos. Though these articles demonstrate some real dangers of CRISPR's use, many news articles exaggerate the dangers of CRISPR's use by Huang. Such articles bias readers with one-sided quotes from respected scientists and overly dramatic language that unfairly criticizes the ethicality and safety of Huang's experiment. Popular media fails to distinguish Huang's specific experiment from critiques of clinical germline therapy and to accurately portray CRISPR's dangers. These irresponsible actions are ultimately to the detriment of the readers.
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