[Out of natural order: nature in discourses about cloning and stem cell research in Brazilian newspapers]. / Fora da ordem natural: a natureza nos discursos sobre a clonagem e a pesquisa com células-tronco em jornais brasileiros.

Different conceptions of nature influence media coverage and public opinion about biotechnology. This study reports on a discourse analysis of the ideas about nature and what is natural expressed in Brazilian media coverage of cloning and stem cell research. In the discourse against this research, the biotechnologies in question are placed outside the natural order of things and deemed immoral. In the discourse of those who defend it, nature is portrayed as indifferent to the fate of humans or even cruel, or else a barrier to be overcome, while cloning and embryonic stem cells are naturalized and Dolly the sheep is anthropomorphized. The mythifying or transcendental representations of nature do not just influence public opinion, but also have ethical and political implications.

Fora da ordem natural: a natureza nos discursos sobre a clonagem e a pesquisa com celulas-tronco em jornais brasileiros / Out of natural order: nature in discourses about cloning and stem cell research in Brazilian newspapers

Noções de natureza desempenham um papel na cobertura midiática e nas percepções do público sobre as biotecnologias. Neste estudo, fez-se uma análise de discurso das ideias de natureza e natural usadas na cobertura jornalística brasileira da clonagem e das células-tronco. Nos discursos oponentes, as técnicas biotecnológicas foram postas fora da ordem natural e consideradas imorais. Nos discursos defensores, apareceu uma natureza indiferente ou cruel para com o destino humano, ou obstáculo a ser superado; por outro lado, a clonagem e as células-tronco embrionárias foram naturalizadas, e a ovelha Dolly foi antropomorfizada. As representações mitificantes ou transcendentes da natureza não incidem somente sobre as percepções públicas, têm implicações éticas e políticas.

Different conceptions of nature influence media coverage and public opinion about biotechnology. This study reports on a discourse analysis of the ideas about nature and what is natural expressed in Brazilian media coverage of cloning and stem cell research. In the discourse against this research, the biotechnologies in question are placed outside the natural order of things and deemed immoral. In the discourse of those who defend it, nature is portrayed as indifferent to the fate of humans or even cruel, or else a barrier to be overcome, while cloning and embryonic stem cells are naturalized and Dolly the sheep is anthropomorphized. The mythifying or transcendental representations of nature do not just influence public opinion, but also have ethical and political implications.

A ciência na primeira página: análise das capas de três jornais brasileiros / Science on the front page: an analysis of the covers of three Brazilian newspapers

Diversos estudos se dedicaram a compreender como temas relacionados a ciência e tecnologia (C&T) são cobertos pela mídia, mas poucos analisaram a presença desses temas na primeira página dos jornais. Neste estudo, fizemos uma análise de conteúdo das chamadas de capa relativas a temas de C&T veiculadas em 2006, em um jornal de elite nacional (Folha de S.Paulo) e dois jornais regionais (Jornal do Commercio, de Pernambuco, e Zero Hora, do Rio Grande do Sul). Observamos que os três jornais, embora com intensidade diferente, deram espaço a C&T na capa. Folha de S.Paulo levou o tema às capas com maior frequência, ao passo que Zero Hora foi o jornal que lhe deu mais destaque na capa.

Many studies have tried to understand how the media covers topics related to science and technology (S&T) but few have examined the presence of these topics on the front pages of newspapers. This study analyzes the content of front-page leads about S&T in 2006, focusing on one elite national paper (Folha de S.Paulo) and two regional papers (Jornal do Commercio, from Pernambuco, and Zero Hora, from Rio Grande do Sul). It was noted that all three papers devoted front-page space to S&T, although to differing degrees. Folha de S.Paulo featured the topic more often, while Zero Hora highlighted it the most on its front pages.

[Science on the front page: an analysis of the covers of three Brazilian newspapers]. / A ciência na primeira página: análise das capas de três jornais brasileiros.

Many studies have tried to understand how the media covers topics related to science and technology (S&T) but few have examined the presence of these topics on the front pages of newspapers. This study analyzes the content of front-page leads about S&T in 2006, focusing on one elite national paper (Folha de S.Paulo) and two regional papers (Jornal do Commercio, from Pernambuco, and Zero Hora, from Rio Grande do Sul). It was noted that all three papers devoted front-page space to S&T, although to differing degrees. Folha de S.Paulo featured the topic more often, while Zero Hora highlighted it the most on its front pages.