# A (metaphorical) moment for RNA-based biotechnology? Current metaphors for RNA limit development of and public communication about RNA-based technologies

**Authors:** Erika A Szymanski, Daniel Schindler

PMC · DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00200-y · 2024-07-08

## TL;DR

This paper explores how current metaphors for RNA may be limiting the development and public understanding of RNA-based biotechnologies.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a novel perspective on how metaphorical language shapes progress in RNA biotechnology.

## Key findings

- Current metaphors for RNA may hinder technological development.
- Metaphors influence public communication about RNA technologies.
- Addressing metaphor limitations could improve RNA biotech progress.

## Abstract

Technical and societal hurdles are both likely to hinder the development of RNA biotechnologies. The use of current metaphors to describe RNA and its function could be an important factor for a common challenge.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** COVID (MESH:D000086382), SARS-CoV2 (MESH:D045169), AIDS (MESH:D000163)
- **Chemicals:** poly-A (MESH:D011061)
- **Species:** Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (no rank) [taxon 11676], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11315921/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11315921