Analysis reveals some evidence that a spiral of silence developed in public discourse about biotechnology in the U.S. Spiral of science theory argues that fear of social isolation inhibits the expression of opinions perceived to be in a minority.
Features the framing of articles, sources used by reporters and the differences between genetics as they relate to food and to medicine. Found that scientists and medical issues were much more likely to be framed as progressive than were articles on food or ones in which government officials were quoted. Also analyzed articles pertaining to protests and demonstrations between 2000 and 2001.
