Factors influencing societal response of nanotechnology: an expert stakeholder analysis

Abstract

Nanotechnology can be described as an emerging technology and, as has been the case with other emerging technologies such as genetic modification, different socio-psychological factors will potentially influence societal responses to its development and application. These factors will play an important role in how nanotechnology is developed and commercialised. This article aims to identify expert opinion on factors influencing societal response to applications of nanotechnology. Structured interviews with experts on nanotechnology from North West Europe were conducted using repertory grid methodology in conjunction with generalized Procrustes analysis to examine the psychological constructs underlying societal uptake of 15 key applications of nanotechnology drawn from different areas (e.g. medicine, agriculture and environment, chemical, food, military, sports, and cosmetics). Based on expert judgement, the main factors influencing societal response to different applications of nanotechnology will be the extent to which applications are perceived to be beneficial, useful, and necessary, and how 'real' and physically close to the end-user these applications are perceived to be by the public.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11051-012-0857-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comparative analysis of nanotechnology awareness in consumers and experts in South Korea

“…[20][21][22][23][24] Therefore, people with experience and expertise in the field of nanotechnology from research institutes, universities, industry, government, and NGOs should provide accurate information on nanotechnologies and their applications to the public. 2 In our study, we surveyed consumers and experts on their awareness of the risks and the need for public education about nanotechnologies and then compared the differences between their responses.…”

“…1,2 New applications for nanotechnology extend into various areas, including biotechnology, electronics, drug delivery, cosmetics, and biosensors. 3 With this rapid growth of nanotechnology products, concerns about human exposure to nanomaterials and their potential harmful effects on human health have increased recently.…”

Nanotechnology applied to European food production – A review of ethical and regulatory issues

“…For example, a meta-analysis of 22 surveys conducted in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan between 2002 and 2009 showed that the members of the public who perceive greater benefits outnumber those who perceive greater risks by 3 to 1 (Satterfield, Kandlikar, Beaudrie, Conti, & Herr Harthorn, 2009) Several authors have suggested that many of the public concerns discussed in the literature on biotechnology in food are being raised in qualitative and quantitative studies on nanotechnologies for food (Mehta, 2004;Rogers-Brown, Shearer, & Harthorn, 2011), suggesting that some people express concerns about nanotechnological modifications of food. Indeed, experts are of the view that food-related applications of nanotechnology may be the most problematic in terms of societal acceptance Gupta, Fischer, van der Lans, & Frewer, 2012). To date the empirical evidence for this is somewhat mixed, in particular in the context of concrete applications with tangible benefits.…”

Consumer attitudes towards nanotechnologies applied to food production

“…Technological innovation in the agrifood sector must, refocus on the develop-ment of foods and food commodities that deliver specific benefits in line with stakeholder and consumer expecta-tions, as well as deliver adequate, safe and nutritious food.. Within this context, consumer priorities and prefer-ences regarding the development and implementation of previous agrifood technologies represents an important consideration in shaping how agrifood process and products are developed (Griffin & Hauser, 1993;Gupta, Fischer, van der Lans, & Frewer, 2012;Raley, Ragona, Sijtsema, Fischer, & Frewer, submitted for publication; Ronteltap, Fischer, & Tobi, 2011;Van Kleef, van Trijp, & Luning, 2005).…”