Analysis of Japanese newspaper articles on genetic modification

The rapid spread of technologies involving the application of “Genetic Modification (GM)” raised the need for science communication on this new technology in society. To consider the communication on GM in the society, an understanding of the current mass media is required. This paper shows the whole picture of newspaper discourses on GM in Japan. For the Japanese public, newspapers represent one of the major sources of information on GM. We subjected the two Japanese newspapers with the largest circulation, the Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun, to an analysis of the full text of approximately 4000 articles on GM published over the past to perform an assessment of the change of reportage on GM. As for the most important results, our analysis shows that there are two significant shifts with respect to the major topics addressed in articles on GM by Japanese newspapers

Meaning of ambiguity: a Japanese survey on synthetic biology and genome editing

Synthetic biology and genome editing have become increasingly controversial issues, necessitating careful attention and engagement with the public. Our study examined ambiguity in public perception about emerging biotechnologies through the use of several intermediate response options in a survey. To understand the relationship between respondents’ thoughts and attitudes, we also examined how respondents’ indecision is related to their cognitive concept of “self” as well as their interpretation of “future generations.” An online survey of 994 respondents living in Japan revealed that around 80% hold intermediate attitudes (two-sided, non-judgmental, or reserved attitudes) toward synthetic biology and genome editing. These results revealed that respondents who have a narrow self-concept tend to postpone decisions about the application of emerging technologies. In contrast, those with a broad self-concept tend to adopt an ambivalent attitude and are more short-sighted, but make judgments based on the impact of their decisions on current and future generations. This study thus demonstrates that public views are more diverse and nuanced than those obtained from conventional public surveys for policy making

Total invested cost by JSPS vs. total number of reported articles, EKs, and HS-EKs by all PIs of a particular grant category.

The X axis shows total number of published (A) articles, (B) EKs, and (C) HS-EKs within 6 years after funding began and the Y axis shows total invested costs (millions JPY). The data includes grants beginning from (A)(B) 1991 to 2013, and (C)1991 to 2004. Dashed lines represent linear fit from all the points. Abbreviations are the same as Fig 6.</p

Average number of reported articles, EKs, and HS-EK per PI of research project in each GiA category.

(A) The number of published articles and EKs in the past 3 years before funding began, within 3 years after funding began, and within 4 to 6 years after funding began. The data includes grants beginning from 1991 to 2013. (B) The number of published HS-EKs in the past 3 years before funding began, within 3 years after funding began, and within 4 to 6 years after funding began. The data includes grants beginning from 1991 to 2004. (A)(B) X and Y axes show the range of grant amount and averages with standard deviations, respectively. All amounts are in Japanese yen.</p

Grants-in-Aid investigated in this study.

Understanding the effectiveness of public funds to generate emerging topics will assist policy makers in promoting innovation. In the present study, we aim to clarify the effectiveness of grants to generate emerging topics in life sciences and medicine since 1991 with regard to Japanese researcher productivity and grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. To clarify how large grant amounts and which categories are more effective in generating emerging topics from both the PI and investment perspectives, we analyzed awarded PI publications containing emerging keywords (EKs; the elements of emerging topics) before and after funding. Our results demonstrated that, in terms of grant amounts, while PIs tended to generate more EKs with larger grants, the most effective investment from the perspective of investor side was found in the smallest amount range for each PI (less than 5 million JPY /year). Second, in terms of grant categories, we found that grant categories providing smaller amounts for diverse researchers without excellent past performance records were more effective from the investment perspective to generate EK. Our results suggest that offering smaller, widely dispersed grants rather than large, concentrated grants is more effective in promoting the generation of emerging topics in life science and medicine.</div

Average of total received cost per PI of each research project vs. average number of articles, EKs, and HS-EKs reported by the PI.

The X axis shows average number of published (A) articles, (B) EKs and (C) HS-EKs within 6 years after funding began and the Y axis shows the average of total received cost per PI of each research project (millions JPY). The data includes grants beginning from (A)(B) 1991 to 2013, and (C)1991 to 2004. Dashed lines represent linear fit from all the points. Abbreviations represent the following. COE; GiA for COE research, SR(S); GiA for Scientific Research (S), SR(A); GiA for Scientific Research (A), SR(B); GiA for Scientific Research (B), SR(C); GiA for Scientific Research (C), CER; GiAs for Exploratory Research, YS; GiAs for Young Scientists, SRI; GiAs for Scientific Research on Innovation, SRPA; GiAs for Scientific Research on Priority Areas, SPR; GiA for Specially Promoted Research, ES; GiAs for Encouragement of Scientists, RAS; GiA for Research Activity Start-up, CR(A); GiA for Co-operative Research (A), CR(B); GiA for Co-operative Research (B), GSR(A); GiA for General Scientific Research (A), GSR(B); GiA for General Scientific Research (B), GSR(C); GiA for General Scientific Research (C), DSR; GiAs for Development Scientific Research, CR; GiA for Cancer Research.</p