A Grain of Truth

A Grain of Truth debunks the myth that growing public distrust of genetically modified organisms can be attributed to scientific illiteracy or sensationalistic news stories. Arguing neither for nor against genetic engineering and other forms of biotechnology, this book charges both media and industry with ignoring the concerns of the general public and encourages greater public debate over biotech and other such complex issues.

Preface

vii

Introduction

1

(16)

Institutional Hegemony

5

(2)

Science and ``Objectivity''

7

(5)

Cultural Context

12

(2)

Mass Media and Public Life

14

(3)

Reinventing Milk

17

(18)

The Early Campaign

21

(6)

Cultural Motifs

27

(3)

Institutional Interest and Public Response

30

(5)

World Reaction

35

(16)

Press and Public Opinion in the West

37

(3)

World Press Issues

40

(2)

Trade Negotiations and ``Third World'' Issues

42

(2)

India: A Case Study

44

(3)

International News and Corporate Interest

47

(4)

U.S. Public Opinion Emerges

51

(18)

Assessing Public Response

52

(5)

U.S. Public Opinion and the Polls

57

(4)

Science Literacy and Biotechnology

61

(3)

Perceptions of Technological Risk

64

(5)

U.S. Culture and the New Genetics

69

(16)

Culture and Biological Boundaries

71

(3)

Genetics as Nature and Fate

74

(3)

Culture, Media, and Class

77

(3)

Individualism and the Genetic Revolution

80

(2)

Risk, Technology, and Democracy

82

(3)

The Labeling Controversy and Public Perceptions of Risk

85

(12)

Labeling and the Risk Agenda

86

(4)

Labeling and Risk Displacement

90

(2)

Labels and Public Relations

92

(3)

Labeling and Democratic Theory

95

(2)

The Cloning Story

97

(14)

Cloning and Science Journalism

100

(3)

Cloning as a Cultural Phenomenon

103

(4)

Cloning and Institutional Interest

107

(4)

The Terminator Gene

111

(14)

Technology and Corporate Strategy

113

(4)

Breaking into Print

117

(1)

Alternative Accounts

118

(3)

Prospects and Perceptions

121

(4)

Lessons and Directions

125

(4)

References

129

(6)

Index

135

(6)

About the Author

141

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials