Mitochondrial Transfer in the Media
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Authors
Pollack, Sharon
Issue Date
2016-09-01
Type
thesis_campus
Language
Keywords
Other Genetics and Genomics
Alternative Title
Human Genetics Theses
Abstract
Mitochondrial transfer is an emerging technology, which may benefit those who suffer from, or are known carriers of, mitochondrial diseases. Mass media may have an impact on shaping public understanding of the ethical implications, scientific challenges, and promise of the “three parent baby”. We conducted a content analysis of 89 online news articles in English-language media sources between the dates of February 1st 2015 and February 29th 2016. Themes and frames were identified, and correlated to a number of measures looking at responses of reviewers to perceived slants of the authors, and their own reactions to the material. Our analysis has shown notable variation in the ways MT is presented and perceived and indicates a number of terms that elicit particular responses in deviation from the mean.