Embryos in the news

Abstract

An examination is undertaken of the way in which embryo research and associated techniques of assisted reproduction were represented in British newspapers during the passage through Parliament in 1989-90 of the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill. It is shown that, despite complaints within Parliament of media bias in favour of embryo research, press reports of parliamentary debate concerning these matters were consistently balanced and uncommitted. It is also shown, however, that a substantial majority of editorials, features and other extended newspaper presentations did strongly recommend the continuation of embryo research. The underlying rhetoric and the specific narrative structures employed in the press to convey the case for embryo research are described and compared with alternative textual resources which were available in principle, but almost entirely excluded from the newspapers in practice. Suggestions are made to account for the overwhelming support for embryo research in the media during this phase of the public debate; and the likely impact of press coverage on public opinion and upon the parliamentary process is assessed.

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References

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The parliamentary material quoted in this paper is taken from Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 1989, Fifth Series, Lords, Vol. 513, columns 1001-1114: and from Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 1990, Sixth Series, Commons, Vol. 171, columns 28-125 (London: HMSO). At the end of each quotation, the name of the speaker is given followed by the parliamentary House, the year and the number of the relevant column(s).

Mulkay, M. , 1994, Rhetorics of hope and fear in the Great Embryo Debate. Social Studies of Science, 23 (in the press).

For documentation of clear parallels between Britain and Australia in the treatment by the press of assisted reproduction, see Noble, C. , and Bell, P. , 1992, Reproducing women's nature: media constructions of IVF and related issues. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 27, 17-30.

10.

Mulkay, M. , 1994, Rhetorics of hope and fear in the Great Embryo Debate. Social Studies of Science, 23 (in the press).

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Abse, L. , 1986, The politics of in vitro fertilization in Britain. In Vitro Fertilization: Past, Present, Future, edited by S. Fishel and E. M. Symonds (Oxford: IRL Press), pp. 207-213.

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Rayner, M. , 1986, Experiments on embryos: stick to the facts. New Scientist, 27 February, pp. 54-55.

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Statistical Analysis of the United Kingdom IVF and GIFT Data 1985-1990 (London: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority).

14.

Spallone, P. , and Steinberg, D. L. , 1987, Made to Order: The Myth of Reproductive and Genetic Progress (Oxford: Pergamon).

15.

For a discussion of other contrast structures in the press and elsewhere, see Atkinson, M. , 1984, Our Masters' Voices: The Language and Body Language of Politics (London: Methuen).

16.

Koch, L. , 1990, IVF—an irrational choice? Issues in Reproductive and Genetic Engineering, 3, 235-242.

17.

For detailed discussion of these contradictory rhetorics, see Mulkay, M. , 1994, Rhetorics of hope and fear in the Great Embryo Debate. Social Studies of Science, 23 (in the press).

18.

There is one clear story of failure in the BABY SPECIAL. But this story is told from the man's perspective and is headed `How A Husband Suffers Too'.

19.

IVF Research in the UK: A Report on Research Licensed by the Interim Licensing Authority (ILA) for Human In Vitro Fertilization and Embryology 1985-1989 (London: ILA), p. 8. Dr Handyside has pointed out to me that success rates are often close to this figure in the larger clinics.

20.

and Spallone, P. , and Steinberg, D. L. , 1987, Made to Order: The Myth of Reproductive and Genetic Progress (Oxford: Pergamon).

21.

and Edwards, R. , 1989, Life Before Birth: Reflections on the Embryo Debate (London: Hutchinson).

22.

For a discussion of the difficulties involved in interpreting public opinion in relation to embryo research, see Hawthorn, G. , 1986, The sociology of `public morality'. Human Embryo Research: Yes or No? edited by the CIBA Foundation (London: Tavistock Publication), pp. 152-163.

23.

and in Mulkay, M. , 1994, Changing minds about embryo research. Public Understanding of Science, 3 (in the press).