The Online Genetically Modified Food Debate: Sociotechnical Imaginaries and Genetically Modified Animals

Price, Catherine

Abstract

The aim of this article is to investigate the sociotechnical imaginaries present in UK online news articles and below the line comments in connection with genetically modified animals. This article attempts to provide an answer through a qualitative study using discourse analysis. The findings reveal how sociotechnical imaginaries present in news articles depict genetically modified animals as ‘other’ in comparison to those bred through selective breeding. In the below the line comments, a key feature is of monstrosity. Here, the sociotechnical imaginaries draw on the concept of ‘other’ along with the imagery of Frankenstein. Nature also features in the sociotechnical imaginaries in the news articles. Journalists present genetic modification as overcoming nature, as well as scientists designing nature. The article concludes by discussing how sociotechnical imaginaries can bring invisible nonhuman animals to the fore. Here, difference makes genetically modified animals newsworthy.

Citation

Price, C. (2021). The Online Genetically Modified Food Debate: Sociotechnical Imaginaries and Genetically Modified Animals. Networking Knowledge: Journal of the MeCCSA Postgraduate Network, 14(2), 24-40. https://doi.org/10.31165/nk.2021.142.641

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Oct 31, 2021
• Publication Date: Oct 31, 2021
• Deposit Date: May 3, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: May 4, 2022
• Journal: Networking Knowledge: Journal of the MeCCSA Postgraduate Network
• Electronic ISSN: 1755-9944
• Publisher: Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 24-40
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.31165/nk.2021.142.641
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7951267
• Publisher URL: https://ojs.meccsa.org.uk/index.php/netknow/article/view/641