Scientists from University of Illinois and Temple University investigated
the media frames and rhetorical devices in Chinese media that shaped the
representation of genetically engineered rice, specifically golden rice.
They analyzed the web news stories regarding the testing of efficacy of
golden rice as source of Vitamin A in school children in Hunan, China that
were published from August 30 to October 30, 2012.



Results showed that although only one-third of the articles had negative
tone towards golden rice, it was very evident that the use of metaphors and
analogies elicit fear and concerns about GM crops. Conspiracy frames were
identified in the articles, including the view that the West was using
genetic engineering to establish global control over agriculture and that GM
products were instruments for genocide. The pro-golden rice articles
emphasized the scientific humanitarian progress, but it appears to be less
attractive to the readers.



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