Does China have a public debate on genetically modified organisms? A discourse network analysis of public debate on Weibo

Bibliographic Data

ID20403154
AuthorsYan Jin (0000-0001-7749-7367, WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY, THE NETHERLANDS, corresponding author), Simon Schaub (0000-0001-5377-8826), J Tosun (0000-0001-9367-5039, Heidelberg University), Justus Wesseler (0000-0002-6009-8543, WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY, THE NETHERLANDS)
Year2022
Volume31
Issue6
Pages732-750
Publication date2022-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Understanding of Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0963-6625 • E-ISSN: 1361-6609
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/09636625211070150
PMID35086388
OpenAlexW4210301486
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited62

We examine stakeholder participation in the online debate on genetically modified organisms in China and assess how the debate has changed over time. Therefore, we compare messages posted between 2013 and 2020 on the Chinese microblog website Weibo by using discourse network analysis. Our findings reveal strong opposition to genetically modified crops, along with the existence of two competing coalitions of supporters and opponents. We further observe an increasing number of posts supporting genetically modified organisms by the public in recent years. Consequently, there is an indication that the positions of stakeholders have changed over time. We discuss the policy implications for China and draw conclusions for other countries

Biology · China · Discourse analysis · Gene · Genetically modified food · Genetically modified organism · Linguistics · Microblogging · Political science · Politics · Public discourse · Public opinion · Public relations · Social media · Sociology · Stakeholder · CRISPR and Genetic Engineering · Genetically Modified Organisms Research · Law · Genetics

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Open DOIOpen Access