Public Perceptions of Bio-Chemistry

Having been involved in a couple of firms who had the media report on them, I can tell you the media is not interested in educating the public-only titillating them. Sensation sells! It is the rare reporter who has the talent and scientific background to distill technical jargon into understandable sound bites for the (generally) uneducated public.

One approach you could take is to offer to be the local newspaper's science & technology writer and launch your column with the story of Genzyme's issues and the concern of the paper over its readers confusion. It could be a muti-installment piece published over a couple of weeks explaining the method(s) used at the plant to manufacture the drugs. You might also link your column with your blogsite (Wordpress.com is free) where more involved explanations would be made available.

Another avenue would be to host a couple of seminars at the local library, again, explaining the API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) creation process. It might also be a chance to explain why some drugs cost pennies while others cost hundreds of dollars. That might get a few folks to attend!

Regards,

Brian