Navigating the Bioethical Divide: A Five-Year Multi-Platform Analysis of Public Sentiment and Thematic Framing in Human Genetic Enhancement Discourse
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33423/09p9xf38Keywords:
organizational psychology, human genetic enhancement, genetic engineering, gene editing, CRISPR, biotechnology, bioethics, public opinion, public attitudes, public perception, social media, media representation, media influence, discourse analysis, agenda-setting theory, framing theory, designer babiesAbstract
This study examines the relationship between social media narratives and public attitudes toward human genetic enhancement, analyzing over 10,000 posts across six platforms (Twitter/X, YouTube, Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, and online forums) from 2019 to 2024 using sentiment scoring and thematic categorization. Findings reveal significant shifts in sentiment over time, peaking in 2021, and a sentiment extremity effect in which emotionally charged narratives about ethical dilemmas and dystopian outcomes dominate engagement, overshadowing balanced scientific commentary. Twitter/X shows the highest positive sentiment, driven by innovation hype, while Facebook reflects critical skepticism. The study identifies super-spreaders, influential accounts whose framing steers the bioethical conversation, and finds a divergence between polarized social media narratives and the cautious optimism typical of traditional media and opinion surveys. Although therapeutic applications enjoy broad societal support, online discourse remains predominantly fear-laden, suggesting digital platforms amplify the anxieties of vocal minorities. This research highlights the non-neutral role of digital platforms and influencers in shaping biotechnology narratives, and calls for governance that reconciles volatile online sentiment with public discourse.
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