This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 677, an undergraduate course at UW-Madison
Popular Press vs. Scientific Article
After reviewing a popular press article (1) and a scientific paper (2) about new insights on treating familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) the difference in intended audience is apparent. Carol Ezzell’s Science News article is written to inform the general public on a new gene therapy treatment for FH. A good overview of the disease is provided along with an acceptable description of the new treatment. Because most of the scientific paper would be beyond the scope of the average reader of Science News, the methods used by the researchers’ needed to be simply explained. The only problem with Ezzell’s article is her misrepresentation of the cause of FH. Entire deletion of the LDLR gene is not the reason for high LDL cholesterol levels in FH. Many different mutations within LDLR have been described that cause reduced or non-function of the LDL-receptor, resulting in the FH phenotype (3).
The scientific article, as expected, is much more detailed in the methods used to transplant the LDLR retrovirus into Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits and the subsequent results of reduced blood cholesterol levels. The target audience of this paper is the academic community, which allowed this specific presentation of the study. The authors present a very straightforward and in-depth methodology of the transplantation. Their methods are extremely important to the overall study and this is apparent throughout the paper. The results and discussion were also informative and especially highlighted their implication for application to human treatment.
The obvious difference between the popular press article and scientific paper is the target audience. The simple review by Ezzell is representative of the general public that is expected to read it, while the scientific article is intended for academics. Since FH is such a rare disease and because genetics is not understood well by the general public, background information is expected to be the focal point of a popular press article on this topic. Scientific papers are focused on presenting a new discovery or specifically outlining new methods, and this can be seen in the reviewed scientific paper. Along with differing audiences, popular press articles and scientific papers differ in the specificity of the presentation.
The scientific article, as expected, is much more detailed in the methods used to transplant the LDLR retrovirus into Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits and the subsequent results of reduced blood cholesterol levels. The target audience of this paper is the academic community, which allowed this specific presentation of the study. The authors present a very straightforward and in-depth methodology of the transplantation. Their methods are extremely important to the overall study and this is apparent throughout the paper. The results and discussion were also informative and especially highlighted their implication for application to human treatment.
The obvious difference between the popular press article and scientific paper is the target audience. The simple review by Ezzell is representative of the general public that is expected to read it, while the scientific article is intended for academics. Since FH is such a rare disease and because genetics is not understood well by the general public, background information is expected to be the focal point of a popular press article on this topic. Scientific papers are focused on presenting a new discovery or specifically outlining new methods, and this can be seen in the reviewed scientific paper. Along with differing audiences, popular press articles and scientific papers differ in the specificity of the presentation.
References
1. Ezzell, C. (1991). Gene therapy for rare cholesterol disorder - familial hypercholesterolemia. Science News, Retrieved February 3, 2010, from: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_n15_v140/ai_11494683/?tag=content;col1
2. Chowdhury, J. R., Grossman, M., Gupta, S., Chowdhury, N. R., Baker, J. R., & Wilson, J. M. (1991). Long-Term Improvement of Hypercholesterolemia After ex Vivo Gene Therapy in LDLR-Deficient Rabbits. Science, 254(5039), 1802-1805. doi: 10.1126/science.1722351
3. Rader, D. J., Cohen, J., & Hobbs, H. H. (2003). Monogenic hypercholesterolemia: new insights in pathogenesis and treatment. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 111(12), 1795–1803. doi: 10.1172/JCI200318925
2. Chowdhury, J. R., Grossman, M., Gupta, S., Chowdhury, N. R., Baker, J. R., & Wilson, J. M. (1991). Long-Term Improvement of Hypercholesterolemia After ex Vivo Gene Therapy in LDLR-Deficient Rabbits. Science, 254(5039), 1802-1805. doi: 10.1126/science.1722351
3. Rader, D. J., Cohen, J., & Hobbs, H. H. (2003). Monogenic hypercholesterolemia: new insights in pathogenesis and treatment. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 111(12), 1795–1803. doi: 10.1172/JCI200318925
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