What is the role of media in shaping public opinion on Stem Cell Research?
Students post their view on the role of Media in shaping public opinion on controversial ethic issues like Stem Cell Research.
24 Replies
I think the media have a great role to play in educating the public and clarify the so many misconceptions about stem cell research. The majority of the population associate stem cells with killing embryos and with cloning. The media must clarify that stem cell research is not about creating monsters and is not about playing God. They need to that there are different sources of obtaining stem cells and the potential of using these cells therapeutically is tremendous. The media should present stem cell research in a very positive way and lobby to increase government funding to accelerate the research and have more patients treated with stem cells to cure their diseases or to alleviate their pain.
Researchers also have a responsibility to talk to the media. A few large media groups are hiring scientists to help translate the academic jargon into something that everyone can understand.
I think we are more likely to believe a scientist talking to us than the news reporter. I would however like to know more about the scientists who are being interviewed - much of our stem cell news has come from 2 researchers and that is not good.
Can you imagine asking two hockey fans to report on all hockey being played?
The media plays a drastic role in the opinion of poeple about stem cell research. Since most people dont know a lot about it they base their opinions on what they here on the television. This is most likely why so many agree with it. In my opinion if most people knew the real things that went on in those labs and if they could see the embryos and the features of the baby the scientists are killing i dont think that as many people would be able to say they have no problem with it. Even those that are for stem cell research may have a change of heart if the government allowed people to see what really goes on.
A lot of people these days don't have their own opinions. People just go along with whatever everyone else is thinking. I think that people should have thier own opinions. They need to do the research and not just listen to what people say on television, or the news, just like Gabrielle said. There are a lot of things out there that can influence your decisions, but people need to make their own and not let the media interfere.
the media plays a huge role in a person's opinion on this subject.The media is how many people get a lot of their information about subjects. So if someone see's on the news, a negative effect of stem cell research, that is what they will associate it with, until they find out about something positive. Many people do not research this kind of thing. They rely on the news on television, or information that comes upon them through people or through paper. I think that the media needs to not be biased. It is hard for a person writing an article on the subject to not be biased, and to give the facts. In order for people to make their own decision on the matter, the media should show both sides of stem cell research; The positive effects, and the negative effects.
I would have to agree with Gabrielle and how she said that the media plays a very big role in the stem cell research. I also agree that mostly everybody gets their information from the tv. I think that the media should present the stem cell research and a good and positive way.
This post was edited on: 2010-10-13 at 12:50 PM by: Dominique Sweeney
The media can sometimes be the only view someone in the public gets so it does play a large role in how a person looks at stem cell reesearch. Media resources tend to persuade people to one way or the other using bad facts and sometimes photos about the other side. How someone views stem cell research could really only be the reason of what t.v. channel they were on.
I beleive media is completely changing peoples decisions and making them change there minds. The media doesn't really say alot of things that happen with everything that goes on with the stem cells. I would have to say that even I have changed my mind a few times just because of what media is saying. I think people should actually research everything that goes on before they sould say that it's okay.
i would have to agree with tis topic.I think the media has a great rol in educating the public and clarify the so many misconceptions about stem cell research also.
I believe that media is making people believe what the medica producers want them to believer. Everyone has their own right of sticking up for what they think is wrong or right, but everybody is agreeing with what they see, or what others believe. Nobody has their own opinions anymore.
I agree with Gabby's response. I also think that the media takes a huge role in this topic. If people were to see the embryos and the lives they are wasting, they wouldn't be so sure.
I agree with you completly. I think a prefect exsample of this is the moive juno.this moive makes it seem like having a baby is cool and the guy will stay with you, but that is not always the case.I think the media has a big impact on the way people feel, like if somthing is really fun looking and colorful then that may make you want to do it. The media uses selective output. I think in order to make a choice all sides should me seen.
Today’s society listens to nothing but what the television, radio and magazines have to say about what’s going on in the world today. The media isn’t always right and most times have many misunderstanding on what really has happened. Stem cell research is a topic each individual should have there own opinion on. Just because the news says one thing doesn’t mean you have to believe them and move on. Simply research about the stem cells and get further information on what’s really going on and what there plans are to further their studies. Agreeing with gabby and Jessica; don’t let the media society influence your choices on how you feel about stem cell research.
I think that the media has a huge role on how people look at stem cell research. Many people I know rely on the news to tell them what's going on in the world and to explain it to them. The news, however, will always have a bias opinion on what should be done for certain situations. Granted, they will have varied opinions depending on what the news channel is. Many of the news channels opinions are that they should allow stem cell research to continue to be studied. I agree with Gabby, if the people that were watching the news actually saw first-hand on what was going on in the lab and with the embryos that their opinion would change. Even the people that are for stem cell research have the potential to change their mind. If they knew 100% on what they were standing behind then I believe that they would change their minds completely. If they were to learn more information about what was actually being done to the embryos then they would, instead of supporting stem cell research, they would be against it.
This post was edited on: 2010-10-13 at 01:03 PM by: Hailey Gutierrez
The media is a great way to inform the public about the pros and cons of stem cell research. Although many people believe that clogning and taking stem cells from an invitro fertilization are against everything they believe, there are other ways to recieve stem cells. With the help of the media people can learn about umbilical stem cells. These stem cells are a very ethical way of gathering stem cells.
The media has the largest role of all. Anyone who watches the news and there is a story of something happening or a debatable subject, it doesn’t matter what it is, people believe what they see. Most of the time, the story is twisted to a certain someone’s beliefs. The “nay sayers”, like to enstill fear in minds of the population in order to keep that something from happening, even if it has a large possibility of a good thing.
I think that the media has a great role in shaping public opinion on stem cell research. The media should clarify misconceptions about stem cell research. There are some people that think that stem cell research is all about killing embryos. The media should clarify that there are other methods of obtaining stem cells.
I think that the media could be a great way to inform people about Stem cell.Although, you can't always trust the media, you can still base your opinion on some of the news that you hear. I think that you should make your own opinion and not just think what the media thinks, you should be able to think for yourself.
I agree with you Ellen about how the media should display both the negative and positive sides of the stem cell research because if not everyone will just listen to what the media is saying on the subject. I think the media convinces people to feel the way that they present the information. And nobody will no any better because they probablly won't take the time to research on stem cells, they will just automatically agree with what they hear on the television or whatever type of media they got the information from. The media has too much of an affect on people.
The Media has shaped many peoples ideas and made them believe what the media believes. People now a days don't have their own opinion and just side with others instead of leading others.
Within the role of media that shapes the public opinion of stem cell research I totally agree with your opinion. It is like presidential elections were some are either sugar coating or twisting the truth. That is were news reporters have a field day at. Yes, some do not intentionally do it, they just simply have an opinion and they take those facts and decide the pros and cons of the two. I on the other hand would rather listen to scientists instead of someone who may not be giving the correct information out to the public. Which then shapes the publics opinion of the stem cell research, in there way or point of view. Instead of letting people know the full truth and deciding on there own. They simply separate on what they think is right and persuade their opinions on to you.
Adding to what has been said, most T.V. is bias and tends to push either radical or concervitive. News chanels such as NBC and CNN have individual ideas that they push(like a hidden message). So depending on the media, the point of view on this subject may be different.
The media pretty much takes a side and will do or say anything they can to try to get everyone to agree with their thoughts. Their role is extremely huge considering how many people watch the news and listen to the radio everyday.
The media definitely has a role in the views of millions of thousands of people around the world, not only through other ideas such as political views but stem cells as well. Media plays a huge role in changing views, when they talk about how embryos aren’t lives and they aren’t living things. Then you have the opposing views saying it’s a life don’t kill them and use umbilical cord blood instead. What ever you hear though the media just research it you’re self before taking a side.
George Haddad
Mar 15, 2010 at 6:15 PM