scholarly journals Is Science Effectively Conveyed to the Public? A Case Study of Genetically Modified Mosquito Release

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kailash Vemuri ◽  
N. Murti Vemuri ◽  
Sita Munukutla

Science is the driving force behind the advancement of society making public engagement with science vital. With the rapid pace of scientific discoveries, the availability of well-balanced scientific information is possibly the most important it has ever been. This study aims to determine the effectiveness with which scientific information is disseminated to the public. This was done by conducting a survey in which people were given three articles to read about the release of genetically modified mosquitoes. These three articles were adapted from local news coverage, government authorities, and peer-reviewed scientific literature. Survey participants were queried on their relative preferences for these articles. Additionally, the top 100 hits on Google for the search item “Florida mosquito release” were analyzed to assess the availability of the scientific information preferred by survey respondents. The results of this study showed that the public seeks quality, balanced scientific literature but that these types of articles aren’t easily accessible. Articles that prioritize getting clicks are more prevalent than those that present balanced scientific research.

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 937-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weirui Wang ◽  
Lei Guo

We investigate how the online news and Twitter framed the discussion about genetically modified mosquitoes, and the interplay between the two media platforms. The study is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of intermedia agenda setting, framing, and the issue-attention cycle and combines methods of manual and computational content analysis, and time series analysis. The findings show that the Twitter discussion was more benefit-oriented, while the news coverage was more balanced. Initially, Twitter played a leading role in framing the discussion about genetically modified mosquitoes. When the public learned about the issue, online news gained momentum and led the Twitter publics to discuss the risks of genetically modified mosquitoes. Based on the findings, we argue that the intermedia frame setting may change its direction over time, and different media outlets may be influential in leading different aspects of the conversation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Kirby

Online content is changing the way the public accesses and understands science. The staggering number of often conflicting online sources about science makes it difficult for the lay public to know where to turn in search of accurate scientific information. This project will examine how the nature of online content might be affecting how the public learns about science. Through textual content analyses, it will examine the chain of communication (scientists→online media→public) and document how scientific information evolves. Okanagan Specialty Fruits’ Arctic apple, a genetically modified organism (GMO) that has had the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) gene silenced, will be used as a case study. Three primary themes guide my research: the public understanding of science (PUS), the communication of risk and uncertainty, and social epistemology. The primacy of the PUS movement in public venues for science makes it an important theory for my project, while theories of risk/uncertainty and social epistemology will inform my analysis. My results suggest that: 1) stories about science often include over and understatements of uncertainties and risks; 2) online media stories apply rhetorical frames when reporting scientific information, but the way in which framing is used appears to be reflective of whether the author wishes to persuade their audience; and 3) the rhetorical frames used by online stories about science are not typically integrated into the public’s commentary in a meaningful way, supporting the notion that audiences are active rather than passive and that the public seeks out content that complements their pre-existing beliefs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adaobi Vivian Duru

This study used the 2014 Ebola outbreak as a case study to compare news coverage of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) between the Polarized Pluralist media system and the Liberal media system. This investigation revealed that partisan frames, emphasis on local and international efforts and use of health expert sources all differed across the two media systems. These differences suggest that social, political and economic attributes of media systems affect how news is shaped. When an event of international significance occurs, such as a disease outbreak, the characteristics that make up a media system will influence how issues are covered and presented to the public. Giving the current globalized nature of news, the findings in this study has implications for international news flow.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Cvitanovic ◽  
Christopher Fulton ◽  
Shaun Wilson ◽  
Lorrae van Kerkhoff ◽  
Ingrid Cripps ◽  
...  

Integration of scientific information into the decision-making process for the management of marine resources remains a significant challenge, with the inaccessibility of primary scientific literature to environmental practitioners identified as a key limiting factor. Here, we quantify the use of primary scientific literature in environmental management plans, and explore potential barriers to the efficient integration of such scientific information into the decision-making process. Through a case study of coral dominated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) spanning three countries (Australia, Kenya and Belize), we find that primary scientific literature represents only 14% of information cited in management plans. Such a low proportion is likely to be symptomatic of several issues regarding the accessibility of primary scientific literature to MPA managers, such as: 1. Long publication times for articles (average 40.2 ± 1.8 months); 2. Subscription-only access (up to 56% of articles behind paywalls); and/or 3. Poor articulation of management implications (only 19% of articles provided clear outcomes relevant to management). Such impediments can undermine the adaptive governance of MPAs, so we suggest improvements to knowledge transfer among scientists and managers via a diversity of approaches including knowledge brokers, boundary organisations, knowledge co-production and management-orientated summaries in research articles.


2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-69
Author(s):  
Stephanie Phillips

The release of genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys is part of a public health initiative to limit the spread of infectious disease. The local debate over this proposed action provides a current case study of a public, scientific controversy in which citizens and officials disagree about what is best for the community. The case study challenges technical writing students to consider complex cultural circuits, or networks, that comprise a specific controversy. The students analyze the rhetorical situation, create new content that contributes to the ongoing discussion, and learn about audience through usability testing their multimodal projects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Suraya Mansur ◽  
Sari Anggaraini Harsono

<em>The study aims to analyze the public relations work suitability of PT Medco E&amp;P Malaka related to community empowerment and social responsibility on Education and Training of 40 Acehnese Children in PPSDM-Cepu. International Standard Ambulance given for Pidie Jaya and the support from Medco E&amp;P Malaka in the event Sail Sabang 2018 conducted by the company and press-released by Serambi Indonesia online in 2018. A qualitative approach with a case study method was employed in this study. The results showed that the point of view of journalists/media is dissimilar from the point of view of a company in writing a text. When media tend to publish articles based on a press release distributed by a company, then the company’s image and reputation will be affected and become positive.</em>


Author(s):  
Filosa Gita Sukmono ◽  
Fajar Junaedi

A recent natural disasters that gained extensive news coverage and public concern in Indonesia is the earthquake that occurred in Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province, in early August. Initially, local authorities stated that the earthquake on Lombok Island on 5 August 2018 was at an M 6.8 scale. However, the scale was later revised to M 7.0. This research used descriptive-qualitative case study method. Research result proved that the technological advances that have brought human civilisation to Industry 4.0 have a significant contribution to disaster mitigation. In the disaster that occurred in West Nusa Tenggara, researchers found that the government, disaster mitigation and recovery agencies, journalists, and the public used internet chat-based digital technology to conduct effective coordination. However, Industry 4.0 technology still has limitations in terms of disaster mitigation. Researchers suggest that the issues be addressed using industry 5.0, a technology based on the internet of things.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Kirby

Online content is changing the way the public accesses and understands science. The staggering number of often conflicting online sources about science makes it difficult for the lay public to know where to turn in search of accurate scientific information. This project will examine how the nature of online content might be affecting how the public learns about science. Through textual content analyses, it will examine the chain of communication (scientists→online media→public) and document how scientific information evolves. Okanagan Specialty Fruits’ Arctic apple, a genetically modified organism (GMO) that has had the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) gene silenced, will be used as a case study. Three primary themes guide my research: the public understanding of science (PUS), the communication of risk and uncertainty, and social epistemology. The primacy of the PUS movement in public venues for science makes it an important theory for my project, while theories of risk/uncertainty and social epistemology will inform my analysis. My results suggest that: 1) stories about science often include over and understatements of uncertainties and risks; 2) online media stories apply rhetorical frames when reporting scientific information, but the way in which framing is used appears to be reflective of whether the author wishes to persuade their audience; and 3) the rhetorical frames used by online stories about science are not typically integrated into the public’s commentary in a meaningful way, supporting the notion that audiences are active rather than passive and that the public seeks out content that complements their pre-existing beliefs.


EDIS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric P. Caragata ◽  
Yoosook Lee ◽  
Eva A. Buckner

Genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes are controversial, partly because of misinformation. This publication provides science-based information about GM mosquitoes to the public and anyone involved in mosquito control. It explains what GM mosquitoes are and why they are being investigated as a tool for mosquito control. Describes a GM mosquito pilot project in Florida, and includes FAQs and answers explaining how GM mosquitoes are created and their potential impacts on people and the environment.


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