Embryos in the news

An examination is undertaken of the way in which embryo research and associated techniques or assisted reproduction were represented in British newspapers during the passage through Parliament in 1989-90 of the Human fertilization and Embryology Bill. I t is shown that, despite complaints within Parliament of media bias in favour of embryo research. press reports of parliamentary debate concerning these matters were consistently balanced and uncommitted. I t is also shown, however. that a substantial majority of editorials. features and other extended newspaper presenlations did strongly recommend the continuation of embryo research. The underlying rhetoric and the speciKc narrative structures employed in the press to convey the case for embryo research are described and compared with alternative textual re~ources which were available in principle, but almost entirely excluded from the newspapers in practice. Suggestions are made to account for the overwhelming support for embryo research in the media during this phase of the public debate; and the likely impact of press coverage on public opinion and upon the prliamen-tary process is assessed. Introduction: the context of the stud