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The social embedding of biomedicine: an analysis of German media debates 1995-2004
[journal article]
Abstract Biomedical research and technologies such as cloning, stem cell research, and the deciphering of the human genome have met with opposition—albeit of different intensity—motivated by ethical values. The debates over the continuation of research and the imp... view more
Biomedical research and technologies such as cloning, stem cell research, and the deciphering of the human genome have met with opposition—albeit of different intensity—motivated by ethical values. The debates over the continuation of research and the implementation of the respective technologies are being staged in the mass media. The media have assumed the function of “embedding” controversial knowledge and technologies into society by using public discourse. The hypothesis is that these discourses follow a common pattern revealing the process of “embedding,” and ultimately leading to a change of existing values. In this study, three debates over cloning, stem cell research and the Human Genome Project are analyzed in ten German daily and weekly newspapers over the period 1995—2004. It is shown that the patterns of reporting are more complex than anticipated. Rather than being identical for all technologies, they reveal different courses depending on the kind of knowledge/ technology and value sensitivity.... view less
Free Keywords
biomedicine; science and technology studies; media analysis; cloning; stem cell research; human genome project; social embedding
Document language
English
Publication Year
2008
Page/Pages
p. 381-396
Journal
Public Understanding of Science, 17 (2008) 3
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662506070188
Status
Postprint; peer reviewed
Licence
PEER Licence Agreement (applicable only to documents from PEER project)