The article examines how genetics and genetic technologies were represented in Russian newspapers in from the 1990s through early 2020s. Using a headline search in the full-text database of Russian media, 411 publications of federal newspapers devoted to various problems and images of genetics were found. The thematic content analysis of the publications allowed us to identify 15 main topics discussed in the newspapers over the years. The media analysis, in particular, reveals the main hopes and fears people have about the introduction of genetics into their everyday lives. The study also demonstrates what opposing interests and perspectives existed regarding certain issues and how they were expressed in media rhetoric. The emphasis is on the growing interest of the state in the potential of genetic technologies. Whereas in the 1990s it took little interest in genetics, by the 2020s attention to the development of this sphere had increased. At the same time, some images of genetics began to be used in political and ideological rhetoric of national solidarity and collective identity («genetic memory of Russians») and in hate speech against potential enemies (for example, through the topic of «genetic weapons» that are created by enemies). The main fears about the use of genetic technologies discussed in newspapers are related to the uncertainty of human body reactions and the unpredictable effects on human offspring from contact with GMOs; the uncertainty of genetic editing of people in terms of their future health and that of their offspring; the possibility of ugly genetic monsters / mutants being born; the prospects of using genetic technologies as weapons of destruction and exercising domination over others.
genetics; genetic technologies; biotechnology; media; fears of technology; Russia.