DNA barcoding in the media: does coverage of cool science reflect its social context?

Janis Geary,Tania Bubela,Emma Camicioli,Dirk Steinke

doi:10.1139/gen-2015-0210

Abstract

Paul Hebert and colleagues first described DNA barcoding in 2003, which led to international efforts to promote and coordinate its use. Since its inception, DNA barcoding has generated considerable media coverage. We analysed whether this coverage reflected both the scientific and social mandates of international barcoding organizations. We searched newspaper databases to identify 900 English-language articles from 2003 to 2013. Coverage of the science of DNA barcoding was highly positive but lacked context for key topics. Coverage omissions pose challenges for public understanding of the science and applications of DNA barcoding; these included coverage of governance structures and issues related to the sharing of genetic resources across national borders. Our analysis provided insight into how barcoding communication efforts have translated into media coverage; more targeted communication efforts may focus media attention on previously omitted, but important topics. Our analysis is timely as the DNA barcoding community works to establish the International Society for the Barcode of Life.

Highlights

DNA barcoding is a taxonomic system that uses short, conserved genetic sequences of animals (Hebert et al.2003), plants (Hollingsworth et al 2009), or fungi (Schoch et al 2012) as a standardized marker for differentiating species
We developed a priori codes (File S2)2 for content analysis of each article based on descriptions of the International Barcode ofLife (iBOL)
The iBOL project included a core objective of media research to understand how its science and technology is perceived in the context of avoiding an “undernourished environment for wider public discussion of the project’s results”

Summary

Introduction

DNA barcoding is a taxonomic system that uses short, conserved genetic sequences of animals (Hebert et al.2003), plants (Hollingsworth et al 2009), or fungi (Schoch et al 2012) as a standardized marker for differentiating species. Paul Hebert and colleagues first formally described barcoding as a large-scale system in 2003 (Hebert et al 2003). The Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) was subsequently launched in 2004 to develop. DNA barcoding as a global standard (Consortium for the Barcode of Life 2015), and the International Barcode of. Life (iBOL) Project launched in 2010 to extend the coverage of the barcode reference library Both organizations bring together multi-sectorial, Received 8 December 2015.

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Conclusion