The Meaning and Effects of Discourse about Genetics: Methodological Variations in Studies of Discourse and Social Change

Studies seeking to explore the implications of the discourse of medicalgenetics using four different methodologies are overviewed. Research on genetics discourse using critical methods, audience studies, persuasion studies and institutional studies suggest results that are at odds with one another. Rather than selecting one approach based on a preference for the methodology itself or the results it provides, a clearer picture of how genetic discourse may function is provided by integrating the findings of the various methods.

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