The language of genetic technology: Metaphor and media representation

Recent media speculation on the applications and effects of developments in genetic technology when applied to sport have tended to elicit predominantly negative or fearful pictures of genetically modified athletes with super-human abilities, with phrases such as ‘Frankenstein athletes’, and ‘sporting Armageddon’. However, I wish to argue that such pictures arise as a consequence of being misled by the metaphors that are used to describe and explain genetic processes and phenomena. Whilst accepting Lakoff and Johnson’s (1980) claim that metaphor is a necessary part in our understanding of the world, I will argue that a literalization of these metaphors, illustrated through examples in the media, elicit (limiting) pictures of the world. Ultimately, it is argued that we need to be careful that the pictures we hold about genetic technology in sport do not arise purely as a consequence of being bewitched through our language.