Symbolic Communication in Public Protest Over Genetic Modification: Visual Rhetoric, Symbolic Excess, and Social Mores

Science Communication

Volumn 35, Issue 4, 2013, Pages 502-527

  Bloomfield, Brian P ^a   Doolin, Bill ^b  

^a LANCASTER UNIVERSITY   (United Kingdom)

^b AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY   (New Zealand)

Author keywords

genetic modification; imagery; symbolic communication; visual protest

Indexed keywords

EID: 84879537286     PISSN: 10755470     EISSN: 15528545     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1177/1075547012469116     Document Type: Article

References (100)

1. Decision 03/304-MAdGE billboard advertisement. Wellington, New Zealand: Advertising Standards Authority; 2003:.
2. AgResearch. (1999). Application GMF98009. Retrieved from http://www.epa.govt.nz/search-databases/Pages/applications-details.aspx?appID=GMF98009.
3. AgResearch. (2002). Application GMD02028. Retrieved from http://www.epa.govt.nz/search-databases/Pages/applications-details.aspx?appID=GMD02028.
4. Bell L.Billboard milks it, say critics.Dominion Post (Wellington). 2003;:A1.
5. Bennion T.Decision re application by AgResearch Ltd to develop transgenic cattle.Māori Law Review, November. 2002;:4-7.
6. Berger P.Ways of seeing. London, England: BBC & Penguin Books; 1972:.
7. BestonA. (2002, August14). "Floodgates" warning for Erma. New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=2349339.
8. BestonA. (2003, October10). Anti-GM message reaches crescendo. New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3528076.
9. BlackR. (2012, May2). GM wheat scientists at Rothamsted make plea to protesters. BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17906172.
10. Bloomfield B. P.,Doolin B.Imagination and technoscientific innovations: Governance of transgenic cows in New Zealand.Social Studies of Science. 2011;41:59-83.
11. Boje D. M.Carnivalesque resistance to global spectacle: A critical postmodern theory of public administration.Administrative Theory & Praxis. 2001;23:431-458.
12. Boyer K.Of care and commodities: Breast milk and the new politics of mobile biosubstances.Progress in Human Geography. 2010;35:5-20.
13. Brockie B.GM cows face slaughter in multiple sclerosis experiment.Nature. 2001;411:402.
14. Brophy B.,Smolenski G.,Wheeler T.,Wells D.,L'Huillier P.,Laible G.Cloned transgenic cattle produce milk with higher levels of β-casein and κ-casein.Nature Biotechnology. 2003;21:157-162.
15. Brown C.Lords reject call for ban on hybrid-embryo research.The Independent (London). 2008;:7.
16. BrownJ.-M. (2001, May5). Gene-cow decision upsets MS sufferer. New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=220&objectid=187228.
17. Bucchi M.Handbook of public communication of science and technology. Bucchi M.Trench B., ed. New York, NY: Routledge; 2008:57-76.
18. Handbook of public communication of science and technology. Bucchi M.Trench B., ed. New York, NY: Routledge; 2008:.
19. Bulmer S.,Buchanan-Oliver M.Visual rhetoric and global advertising imagery.Journal of Marketing Communications. 2006;12:49-61.
20. Cammaerts B.Jamming the political: Beyond counter-hegemonic practices.Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies. 2007;21:71-90.
21. Cammaerts B.Protest logics and the mediation opportunity structure.European Journal of Communication. 2012;27:117-134.
22. Carducci V.Culture jamming: A sociological perspective.Journal of Consumer Culture. 2006;6:116-138.
23. ChappleI. (2001, October11). The fight for hearts or minds. New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=221653.
24. ClarkeJ. (2001, September1). Celebrities strike a pose against GM. New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=213079.
25. CollinsS. (2003a, October1). Billboards to milk GM debate. New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3526385.
26. CollinsS. (2003b, October2). Dairy giant closes door on mothers' anti-GM group. New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3526609.
27. Coyle F.,Maslin C.,Fairweather J. R.,Hunt L. M.Public understandings of biotechnology in New Zealand: Nature, clean green image and spirituality. Christchurch, New Zealand: Lincoln University; 2003:.
28. Douglas M.Purity and danger. London, England: Routledge; 1966:.
29. Douglas M.Natural symbols. London, England: Barrie & Rockliff; 1970:.
30. Douglas M.Implicit meanings. London, England: Routledge & Kegan Paul; 1975:.
31. EdwardsS. (2003, October12). Seeds of change: Saturday's big anti-GE march. Scoop Independent News. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0310/S00097/seeds-of-change-saturdays-big-anti-ge-march.htm.
32. Einwohner R. L.,Hollander J. A.,Olson T.Engendering social movements: Cultural images and movement dynamics.Gender & Society. 2000;14:679-699.
33. EngM. (2011, October21). Anti-GMO protests heat up this fall. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-10-21/features/chi-food-policy-antigmo-movements-heat-up-this-fall-20111021_1_gmo-fda-food-safety-division.
34. Franklin S.,Lury C.,Stacey J.Global nature, global culture. London, England: Sage; 2000:.
35. GE Free NZ. (2001, May3). ERMA's flawed decision reveals inadequacies [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0105/S00007.htm.
36. Gieryn C.Cultural boundaries of science. London, England: University of Chicago Press; 1999:.
37. Goven J.Processes of inclusion, cultures of calculation, structures of power: Scientific citizenship and the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification.Science, Technology, & Human Values. 2006;31:565-598.
38. Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. (1999, February7). Human genes going into cows and milk [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/human-genes-going-cows-and-milk.
39. Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. (2001, May9). Will GE cows help multiple sclerosis sufferers? [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.greens.org.nz/speeches/will-ge-cows-help-multiple-sclerosis-sufferers.
40. Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. (2002, January23). Application would allow smorgasbord of GE cows [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/application-would-allow-smorgasbord-ge-cows.
41. Greenpeace. (2004, May17). Greenpeace cows invade Sainsbury's HQ to return rejected GM milk [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/media/press-releases/greenpeace-cows-invade-sainsburys-hq.
42. GriggsK. (2003, October28). NZ split as GM freeze expires. BBC News. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3220383.stm.
43. Hansen A.Tampering with nature: "Nature" and the "natural" in media coverage of genetics and biotechnology.Media, Culture & Society. 2006;28:811-834.
44. Heffernan T.Bovine anxieties, virgin births, and the secret of life.Cultural Critique. 2003;53:116-133.
45. HodgesJ. (1999). Animals and values in society. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 11. Retrieved from http://lrrd.cipav.org.co/lrrd11/3/hod113.htm.
46. Houdebine L.-M.Production of pharmaceutical proteins by transgenic animals.Comparative Immunology, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. 2009;32:107-121.
47. Jasper J. M.The emotions of protest: Affective and reactive emotions in and around social movements.Sociological Forum. 1998;13:397-424.
48. Juris J. S.Performing politics: Image, embodiment, and affective solidarity during anti-corporate globalization protests.Ethnography. 2008;9:61-97.
49. Keefer C. L.Production of bioproducts through the use of transgenic animal models.Animal Reproduction Science. 2004;82-83:5-12.
50. Kleinman D. L.,Kloppenburg J.Aiming for the discursive high ground: Monsanto and the biotechnology controversy.Sociological Forum. 1991;6:427-447.
51. Kuntz M.Destruction of public and governmental experiments of GMO in Europe.GM Crops & Food. 2012;3:1-7.
52. Kurian P.,Wright J.Science, governance, and public participation: An analysis of decision making on genetic modification in Aotearoa/New Zealand.Public Understanding of Science. 2012;21:447-464.
53. Laible G.Enhancing livestock through genetic engineering: Recent advances and future prospects.Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 2009;32:123-137.
54. Laible G.,L'Huillier P.,Piedrahita J.,Wells D.Development of transgenic cattle for the production of human myelin basic protein.New Zealand BioScience. 2001;9:14-17.
55. Lasn K.Culture jam: The uncooling of America. New York, NY: Eagle Brook; 1999:.
56. Levidow L.Pollution metaphors in the UK biotechnology controversy.Science as Culture. 2000;9:325-351.
57. Life Sciences Network. (2003, October1). Ethics, what ethics? [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0310/S00006.htm.
58. LorenzetA.NeresiniF. (2004). Science, risks and social representations. Institute for Prospective Technological Studies Report, 82, Retrieved from http://www.observa.it/view_page.aspx?ID=71&LAN=ENG.
59. Martinelli L.Psychology of risk perception. Lavino J. G.Neumann R. B., ed. New York, NY: Nova Science; 2010:47-70.
60. Mather D. W.,Knight J. G.,Insch A.,Holdsworth D. K.,Ermen D. F.,Breitbarth T.Social stigma and consumer benefits: Trade-offs in adoption of genetically modified foods.Science Communication. 2012;34:487-519.
61. Mothers Against Genetic Engineering in Food and the Environment. (2003a, January15). Mothers take Government to High Court over GE cows [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0301/S00030.htm.
62. Mothers Against Genetic Engineering in Food and the Environment. (2003b, March20). New Zealand mothers say no to GE milk [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0303/S00031.htm.
63. Who is MAdGE?.MAdGE Newsletter. 2003c;:1.
64. Mothers Against Genetic Engineering in Food and the Environment. (2003d, June9). Ladies in waiting-Mothers v Government [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0306/S00041.htm.
65. Mothers Against Genetic Engineering. (2003e, September10). Pictures of MAdGE protest in Parliament today [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0309/S00059.htm.
66. Mothers Against Genetic Engineering in Food and the Environment. (2003f, October1). Why not just genetically engineer women for milk? [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0310/S00003.htm.
67. The triumphant reign of MAdGE.MAdGE Newsletter. 2003g;:3-4.
68. Melucci A.The symbolic challenge of contemporary movements.Social Research. 1985;52:789-816.
69. Melucci A.Challenging codes: Collective action in the information age. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press; 1996:.
70. Mullin M. H.Mirrors and windows: Sociocultural studies of human-animal relationships.Annual Review of Anthropology. 1999;28:201-224.
71. Mulvey L.Visual pleasure and narrative cinema.Screen. 1975;16:6-18.
72. NerlichB.ClarkeD. D.DingwallR. (1999). The influence of popular cultural imagery on public attitudes towards cloning. Sociological Research Online, 4. Retrieved from http://www.socresonline.org.uk/4/3/nerlich.html.
73. New Zealand Organisation for Rare Disorders. (2002, August15). NZORD supports AgResearch's transgenic cows application [Press Statement]. Retrieved from http://www.nzord.org.nz/news_and_issues/archives/2002/nzord_supports_agresearchs_transgenic_application_aug_2002.
74. PhilipkoskiK. (2003, October18). Moms battle genetic engineering. Wired.com. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2003/10/60883.
75. Philipps A.Visual protest material as empirical data.Visual Communication. 2011;11:3-21.
76. Pink bras hold up Parliament in GE protest. (2003, September10). New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3522809.
77. PollakD. (2003). Clean, green and genetically modified? GMOs and the future of New Zealand (Ian Axford Fellowship in Public Policy Report). Retrieved from http://www.fulbright.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/axford2003-pollak.pdf.
78. Priest S. H.Coming of age in the academy? The status of our emerging field.Journal of Science Communication. 2010;9:C06.
79. Protest Advertising. (2003, October18). Alas, a blog. Retrieved from http://www.amptoons.com/blog/2003/10/18/protest-advertising/.
80. Protesting GE: Has MAdGE gone too far? (2003, October12). SMACA: An e-zine produced by St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican Church, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved from http://stmatthews.org.nz/nav.php?sid=54&id=265.
81. Reality check. (2003, October4). New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3527053.
82. ReesJ. (2001, September3). Anti-GM cause unites colourful crowd. New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=213205.
83. Rogers-Hayden T.Asilomar's legacy in Aotearoa New Zealand.Science as Culture. 2005;14:393-410.
84. Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. (2001). Report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved from http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/organisms/royal-commission-gm/.
85. Sandlin J. A.,Callahan J. L.Deviance, dissonance, and détournement: Culture jammers' use of emotion in consumer resistance.Journal of Consumer Culture. 2009;9:79-115.
86. Satterfield T.,Roberts M.Incommensurate risks and the regulator's dilemma: Considering culture in the governance of genetically modified organisms.New Genetics and Society. 2008;27:201-216.
87. Save Animals From Exploitation. (2001, May10). AgResearch MS scam tip of the iceberg [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0105/S00033.htm.
88. Scott L. M.Images in advertising: The need for a theory of visual rhetoric.Journal of Consumer Research. 1994;21:252-273.
89. St. John G.Protestival: Global days of action and carnivalized politics in the present.Social Movement Studies. 2008;7:167-190.
90. Szerszynski B.Ecological rites: Ritual action in environmental protest events.Theory, Culture & Society. 2002;19:51-69.
91. Taylor C.Modern social imaginaries.Public Culture. 2002;14:91-124.
92. Television New Zealand. (2002, October1). Human genes to be put into NZ cows. ONE News. Retrieved from http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425822/135639.
93. Trench B.,Bucchi M.Science communication, an emerging discipline.Journal of Science Communication. 2010;9:C03.
94. TunnahH. (2003, September11). Activists strip to bras in Parliament. New Zealand Herald (Auckland). Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3522908.
95. Weaver C. K. Talking genetic modification: An analysis of New Zealanders' perceptions of GM and advocacy group communication about this controversial science. Paper presented at the Talking Biotechnology: Reflecting on Science in Society conference; 2005Wellington, New Zealand; 2005.
96. Wettergren Å.Fun and laughter: Culture jamming and the emotional regime of late capitalism.Social Movement Studies. 2009;8:1-15.
97. Wong G.Mother of invention.Metro (Auckland). 2003;:46 52-50 53.
98. WongG. (2004, January11). Hear me now. The Sunday Age (Melbourne). Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/10/1073437513674.html.
99. Wong J.Organic food and the activist mother.University of Auckland Business Review. 2004;6:1-11.
100. YoungN. (2002, May13). Mothers against genetic engineering. Scoop Independent News. Retrieved from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0205/S00052.htm.