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Public Understanding of Science
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Embryonic stem cell: A climax in the reign of the Brazilian media

Claudia Jurberg

Nucleus for Popularization of Cancer Biology Program at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, cjurberg{at}bioqmed.ufrj.br

Marina Verjovsky

Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, verjovsky{at}bioqmed.ufrj.br

Gabriel de Oliveira Cardoso Machado

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, gatgp2{at}hotmail.com

Ottília R. Affonso-Mitidieri

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, omitidieri{at}yahoo.com.br

In the last few years, embryonic stem cell research has been widely debated in Brazil and a "star" in the national media. Because of the notoriety of the issue, the media have sometimes been criticized for oversimplification, exaggeration and distortion. In this context, we analyzed the media during an important time: in 2008, the Federal Supreme Court held historical hearings to decide whether Brazilian scientists could continue using embryonic stem cells. First, we focused on letters sent by readers to one of the most popular newspapers, O Globo. Second, we analyzed the Brazilian news coverage of embryonic stem cells during a crucial week in the public debate. At the end of May 2008, under pressure from Brazilian media and society, the Ministers of the Supreme Court approved research using embryonic stem cells.

Key Words: stem cell • media • television • newspapers • science communication

This version was published on November 1, 2009

Public Understanding of Science, Vol. 18, No. 6, 719-729 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0963662509335457
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