Reframing the Biotechnology Debate: The Deconstructive Efforts of the Council for Responsible Genetics

We demonstrate the analytical utility of social movement theory for understanding the framing efforts of the anti-biotechnology movement. We content-analyzed electronic and printed documents from the anti-biotech watchdog group, theCouncil of Responsible Geneticsto identify the movement's diagnostic and prognostic framing efforts. Our findings suggest that while the organization blends frame extension and frame translation strategies it aims for a more radical frame transformation project. Moving the public debate away from overly technical and scientized frames toward issues of social utility and democracy, it tries to recast biotechnologies as a violation of individual and collective rights. Drawing from our findings we offer a number of suggestions for how future research can help further illuminate the interactive and discursive realities of modern technological developments.