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Communicating Genetics pp 33–69Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

The Photographic View: Observational Record and Symbolic Excess

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Abstract

Photographs are commonly used in the popular communication of genetics. Chapter 2 categorizes them into informative and symbolic photographs. The former focuses on demonstrating scientific evidence; examples include the portrayals of observed mutations and results of DNA fingerprinting (i.e., electrophoresis). The value of these photographs as scientific evidence was limited when the focus of genetic research changed from physical observation to DNA analysis and when communicators attempted to “simplify” otherwise complex findings. As for symbolic photographs, they are designed to foster viewer emotions; examples include Photoshopped pictures of genetically modified organisms or pictures of human participants in research. These photographs highlight the social/ethical ramifications of genetic research but may also discourage productive conversation and belie gender and racial biases.

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  1. Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA

    Han Yu

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  1. Han Yu
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Yu, H. (2017). The Photographic View: Observational Record and Symbolic Excess. In: Communicating Genetics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58779-4_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58779-4_2

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