A Grain of Truth
The Media, the Public, and Biotechnology
Abstract
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. Media coverage of these issues has been dominated by the spokespersons of industry_yet evidence of consumer uncertainty has been available all along. The roots of the controversy are visible in press coverage and public opinion polls over the past decade, covering everything from the manufacture of growth hormones used in dairy cows through the cloning of Dolly the sheep to the appearance of the so-called 'terminator gene.' 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.
- i–xii Preface i–xii
- 1–16 1 Introduction 1–16
- 17–34 2 Reinventing Milk 17–34
- 35–50 3 World Reaction 35–50
- 97–110 7 The Cloning Story 97–110
- 111–124 8 The Terminator Gene 111–124
- 125–128 9 Lessons and Directions 125–128
- 129–134 References 129–134
- 135–140 Index 135–140
- 141–2 About the Author 141–2