debate
Comment
The recent media hype around human cloning illustrates, starkly, why South Africa needs a year of science and technology to promote public understanding of the subject.
The human cloning reports rival the Virodene “miracle cure” debacle – once again we have a media that fundamentally misunderstands the subject it is reporting on, but, notwithstanding, charges into the fray with large and inaccurate claims. That these may have since been repudiated does not undo the damage caused.
First, there is the impression created in the minds of the public that local doctors are ready to clone humans and will be starting the process soon. This serves to increase the suspicion that many South Africans have about scientists as irresponsible and arrogant men in white coats, playing God without regard for the norms and values of society.
Second, sensationalism and inaccurate reporting increases the tendency of South African scientists to withdraw behind the walls of their laboratories, fearing that they will be misunderstood, quoted out of context and made to appear to be touting their achievements.
The divide between the science sector and the public is a critical obstacle to appropriate technological development, which this country sorely needs. It is shameful when those charged with the responsibility of bridging this divide – the media – instead exploit it to sell more newspapers.
We should bear in mind that the majority of South Africans were denied the opportunity of studying science at school in an attempt to deny them the power such knowledge could bring. The media have become their only source for such knowledge and should be fully aware of this responsibility.