CRISPR is easy: Exposure to Last Week Tonight enhances knowledge about gene editing

Abstract

Experts have called for public engagement with the governance of controversial scientific research and discoveries, including CRISPR, the technology that enables gene editing. Though engaging and informing citizens who are not interested in the issue is a challenge, recent studies suggest humor has potential to close interest and knowledge gaps. We tested this potential by exposing individuals (N = 303) to one of three videos (an edited clip from Last Week Tonight, an edited clip from 60 Minutes, or control) that contained broadly overlapping facts about gene editing in an online survey. Results show that while exposure to the Last Week Tonight clip did not increase attentiveness to the issue of human gene editing among individuals with lower levels of interest in science, exposure to the humorous clip caused a modest improvement in issue knowledge. Positive main effects on perceived knowledge were found for both treatments. More research is needed but findings suggest that the use of humor in science communication offers potential, though perhaps limited, for broadening public engagement with emerging areas of science.