University News

WIU Professor Presents Research at ELSI Friday Forum

April 16, 2024

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University, English Professor Everett Hamner recently spoke at the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Friday Forum on "Why Film and TV? ELSI Research and the Public Imagination."

Hosted by Columbia University and Stanford University, the forum primarily serves geneticists and genetic counselors around the world, many of whom want to help the public understand what can be very complicated issues about biological inheritance and reproductive decision-making.

The one-hour webinar was announced as follows:

"The study of genetics has long been viewed through the lens of mass media and entertainment, and as the field has progressed in recent decades, its portrayal in media, television and film has also evolved. Depiction of genetic sciences, from television series like CSI and Grey's Anatomy to movies such as Blade Runner 2049 and X-Men sequels, convey messages about genetics research and technology to broad audiences. Whether bridging connections between technical genetic questions and broader societal issues in the media or depicting genetic science tools like DNA testing in on-screen portrayals, genetics has surpassed its traditional methods of information delivery. Yet, how accurate are portrayals of genetics in television and film? How do representations of genetics in film and television influence public discourse on topics such as social identity, lineage, reproduction, and more? And importantly, how do these interpretations aid ELSI researchers in framing genetic information?"

Hamner focused in this talk largely on a single film example and an argument for bridging the sciences and humanities. In "How *Blade Runner 2049* Targets Scientism and Racism," he aimed to help a couple of hundred live attendees imagine new ways of articulating the value of their work and recognizing the importance of cultural critiques like this film.

"One of the most common problems with this kind of analysis is that it often stops at asking, "Did Hollywood get the science right?'" Hamner said. "Beyond that, we need to ask how audiences are coming away understanding science's reliability and its significance through such media, because this will heavily influence our culture's actual use of real medicine and biotech capacities synology, for better and worse."

For more information on Hamner's research, contact him at e-hamner@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing