Communicating Genetics : Visualizations and Representations

This book examines the visual representations used in the popular communication of genetics. Drawing upon public science communication theories, information design theories, and social semiotics, the book offers both in-depth analyses and high-level synthesis of how genetics is visualized for the U.S. public from the early 20th century to the present. Individual chapters focus on six visual genres: photographs, micrographs, illustrations, genetic code images, quantitative graphs, and molecular structure images. Han Yu challenges readers to consider the significance of these images we often take for granted, including their historical contexts, scientific backstories, information richness, stylistic choices, economic motivations, and social implications. In doing so, the book reveals the complex cognitive, affective, and social-cultural factors that both shape and are shaped by these images. The book will be particularly useful to scholars of public science communication and visual communication, practitioners of science communication, and scientists from a range of related life science disciplines. Contents 5 List of Figures 6 List of Tables 10 1 Introduction: Visualizing Genetics for Public Readers 11 Current Research on Science Visualization and the Overlooked Publics 13 Genetics as a Social (and Scientific) Enterprise 15 A Heterogeneous Approach to Popular Science Genetics Visualization 17 Visual Analysis Frameworks 23 Information Design 23 Social Semiotics 26 Combined Analysis 29 Research Methods 30 Data Collection 30 Data Analysis 31 Data Overview 32 Chapter Organization 33 References 35 2 The Photographic View: Observational Record and Symbolic Excess 43 Informative Photographs: Evidence from Classical Genetics 44 Informative Photographs: DNA Fingerprinting 50 Symbolic Photographs: Visual Catachresis 56 Symbolic Photographs: The Human Drama 63 The Victims 64 The Heroes 67 The Everyday Stakeholders 70 Conclusion 73 References 75 3 The Microscopic View: Minuscule Science and Art 80 Micrographs and Micrographic Illustrations 80 The (Elusive) Evidence: , , and 88 Syntactic Consideration 90 Semantic and Pragmatic Considerations 94 Works of Art, or Visual 99 Mysterious Splendor: An Aesthetic of Science Visualization 100 Fear and Sex: Ways of Modern Advertising 102 Conclusion 108 References 111 4 The Illustrated View: Iconic Explanations and Figurative Metaphors 116 Minimalist Illustrations: Reduced and Enhanced 117 -Realistic Illustrations: Attempts for and 124 Metaphorical Illustrations: The Case of the DNA Double Helix 132 Visual Metaphor 134 Life Metaphors 136 Medicine Metaphors 140 Conclusion 144 References 146 5 The Code View: Cracking the Genetic Code of Life 151 Unveiling the Original 152 Traditional DNA Sequencing: Peeking at the Expanded Code 157 Human Project: Re-Glorifying and the Code 160 Second-Generation Sequencing: Specialist Visualization 167 Third-Generation Sequencing: Public-Facing Visualization 171 Conclusion 179 References 180 6 The Graph View: Navigating Big Data Science 186 Counting and Measuring: Relatable Data from Classical Genetics 187 Formal Knowledge and Field Conventions: Specialist Graphs for Public Readers 191 Attraction and Adaptation: Graphing on Publics’ “Own Terms”(?) 198 Syntactic Attraction 198 Integration of Pictorial Elements 200 Adaptation of Specialist Graphs 203 Pictographs: Missed Opportunities 207 Conclusion 218 References 221 7 The Structural View: 2D Realities and 3D Possibilities 226 2D Structural Formulas 227 Line-Bond Formula 228 Skeletal Formula 230 (Not) Making Sense of Structural Formulas 231 3D Molecular Models 238 Perspective Drawings 239 Computer-Simulated Models 240 Web-Based Applets 247 Conclusion 253 References 255 8 Conclusion 260 References 267 Index 269 Front Matter ....Pages i-xi Introduction: Visualizing Genetics for Public Readers (Han Yu)....Pages 1-32 The Photographic View: Observational Record and Symbolic Excess (Han Yu)....Pages 33-69 The Microscopic View: Minuscule Science and Art (Han Yu)....Pages 71-106 The Illustrated View: Iconic Explanations and Figurative Metaphors (Han Yu)....Pages 107-141 The Code View: Cracking the Genetic Code of Life (Han Yu)....Pages 143-177 The Graph View: Navigating Big Data Science (Han Yu)....Pages 179-218 The Structural View: 2D Realities and 3D Possibilities (Han Yu)....Pages 219-252 Conclusion (Han Yu)....Pages 253-261 Back Matter ....Pages 263-271