Mass media framing of biotechnology news

Abstract

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size is inversely associated with plasma triglyceride concentration in cross-sectional analyses. In the present study, changes in the LDL particle size of 227 participants of the Framingham Offspring Study were analyzed longitudinally by nondenaturing gradient gel electropho-resis at two examinations that were separated by 3-4 years. All subjects had triglyceride concentrations <400 mg/dl at both exams. Using laser scanning densitometry to assess mean LDL particle size, 56% of samples displayed a change in size: 41% had a one-band size change, 13% had a two-band change, and 2% had a three-band change. These changes in size corresponded to a 15% change in pattern type, based on pattern A and B terminology. There was a significant inverse association between change in LDL size and change in triglyceride (/><0.0001) and glucose (p<0.004) concentrations, body weight (p<0.02), and age (p<0.03). There was also a significant positive association with change in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration (p<0.0001). Change in LDL cholesterol concentration, as calculated by use of the Friedewald formula, however, showed no significant association with change in LDL size (p<0.9). There was also no significant association with change in smoking or blood pressure, but there was a nonsignificant inverse trend associated with alcohol intake (p<0.08j. Women had more significant changes than men, but the relation between change in LDL size and change in lipids was the same for women and men. In stepwise regression analyses of biochemical indices, change in triglyceride concentration produced the best single-variable model (r=0.460). When change in HDL cholesterol concentration was added to the model, the r value increased slightly to 0.481 for the two-variable model. No other variables entered the model. We conclude that the amount of circulating triglyceride appears to be the single most important factor affecting LDL particle size and that LDL size can be modulated by changes in plasma triglyceride concentration. (Arteriosclerosis and Thrombosis 1992; 12:1284-1290) KEY WORDS • low density lipoproteins • low density lipoprotein subspecies • triglycerides • high density lipoprotein cholesterol • gradient gel electrophoresis S ince low density lipoproteins (LDL) have been implicated in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), they have been closely studied by a number of research groups. 1-7 LDL have been shown to be a heterogeneous population of particles with respect to size, density, and composition and have been studied through the use of density gradient and analytical ultracentrifugation, as well as with nondenaturing polyacrylamide gradient gel elec

Media portrayal of non-invasive prenatal testing: a missing ethical dimension

“…As previous studies have shown, media representations have consistently overemphasized benefits, while overlooking risks and the experimental nature of these technologies [Caulfield, 2004;Bubela and Caulfield, 2004]. Furthermore, longitudinal studies have shown a general positive bias in media framing of human biotechnologies vis-à-vis agricultural biotechnologies [Marks et al, 2007].…”

GM Crops in Hungary: Comparing Mass Media Framing and Public Understanding of Technoscientific Controversy

“…Comparing the Hungarian press coverage to the results of some media analyses of the coverage in Western countries we can see that the issue was of lower salience in the Hungarian press and the treatment was particularly negative (Cook et al, 2006;Marks et al, 2007). A comparison of the results to my earlier findings on the media representation of stem cell research and treatment (Vicsek, 2011;Vicsek & Gergely, 2011) also shows that similarly to what was found in many other countries (Bauer, 2005a), in Hungary too a difference could be seen in the applied media frames for red and green biotechnology, with negative frames utilized more often in the case of green biotechnology.…”

“…Previous studies (which did not include Hungary in their sample) showed that whereas in the early nineties in numerous societies the media applied similar frames with respect to medical and agricultural applications of biotechnology, over time in many countries the media increasingly differentiated between these applications, and applied divergent frames. The media representation of agri-food biotechnology became more negative, with a concern frame employed more often in connection with the issue (Bauer, 2005a;Bauer, Kohring, Allansdottir, & Gutteling, 2001;Marks, Kalaitzandonakes, Wilkins, & Zakharova, 2007).…”

Analysis of Japanese newspaper articles on genetic modification

“…8.9 These findings are in accord with the results of an analysis of European media coverage of biotechnology. 10,11 However, these earlier studies failed to present the whole picture of Japanese media coverage on GM because the sample sizes were small compared to the total number of published articles on GM. In addition, the time frame covered by these reports was strictly limited and they focused on the analysis of 2 or 3 topics, e.g.…”