Media Framing of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering: Public Perception vs. Scientific Reality

Abstract

Genetic engineering and biotechnology have been identified as radical scientific disciplines with the power of being able to solve the problems facing the world in terms of agriculture, medicine and environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, these technologies are mainly framed as a result of the media influence on society, and they tend to reinforce the belief that these technologies are dangerous, unethical, and generally alarming. The review presents the synthesis of the research published on the subject between 2015 and 2025 as a way of examining how the mass media and digital platforms develop narratives about genetic engineering and how these narratives do not align with scientific evidence. Using Agenda-Setting Theory, Framing Theory, Cultural Cognition, and Trust Models, the review shows that the media resorts to metaphors like playing God or designer babies, which have been exaggerated to elicit the audience to become more emotional and less concerned with empirical research and regulatory protection. The discussion also indicates that digital and social media’s environment exacerbates misinformation, privileging sensational content over accuracy and contributing to public skepticism and policy resistance. The results of the analysis indicate that there has been a gap between scientific reality and the media environment. Public interpretation entails conscious effort in the field of transparency science communication, training as journalists, contextual ethnicization, and approaches to engage audiences. It is important to enhance communication among scientists, media practitioners and society to develop informed and refined knowledge and to promote responsible progress and adoption biotechnology within the social community.