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Public
Awareness Of Nanotechnology Stuck At Low Level, According To
Polls
Other Topics:
Nanosciences,
Nanotechnology Research
October 1, 2007
National survey findings recently released indicate that
Americans' awareness of nanotechnology remains low. Popular
awareness is nearly as small as the tiny nanoscale materials
and nano-enabled devices and products now flowing onto the
market from this rapidly progressing technology that experts
believe will usher in a new industrial revolution.
The poll also finds that most Americans continue to prefer
that government, not industry, oversee and manage risks
associated with advances in new areas of science and
technology like nanotech, even though public confidence in
U.S. regulatory agencies overall is declining. |
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The
poll, a follow up to a similar poll conducted last year,
surveyed 1,014 U.S. adults by telephone on August 27-28. It,
as well as the prior poll, was commissioned by the Project on
Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International
Center for Scholars and conducted by independent research firm
Peter D. Hart Research.
Even with an estimated $50 billion worth of nanotechnology
manufactured goods on the global market last year, only 6
percent of Americans -- or fewer than one in 16 -- say they
have "heard a lot" about nanotechnology, as compared with 10
percent in 2006. In 2007, 21 percent say they have "heard
some" about nanotechnology, unchanged from the previous year.
Similarly, as in 2006, about 70 percent of adults say they
have heard "just a little" or "nothing at all."
Women of all ages, older Americans, and individuals with less
education and lower incomes are least likely to have heard
about nanotechnology.
"Even though the number of nanotechnology-enabled consumer
products -- from dietary supplements to skin products to
electronic devices -- has more than doubled to over 500
products since last year,* the 'needle' on public awareness of
nanotechology remains stuck at disappointingly low levels,"
says David Rejeski, director of the Wilson Center's Project on
Emerging Nanotechnologies.
"Efforts to inform the public have not kept pace with the
growth of this new technology area. This increases the danger
that the slightest bump -- even a false alarm about safety or
health -- could undermine public confidence, engender consumer
mistrust, and, as a result, damage the future of
nanotechnology, before the most exciting applications are
realized. If they do not effectively engage a broad swath of
the public in steering the course of nanotechnology,
government and industry risk squandering a tremendous
opportunity."
Specific polling questions examined opinions on the safety of
our food system as well as the use of nanotechnology in food
packaging and products. Over 60 percent of the public feels
that the food supply has become less safe in recent years. Of
the federal agencies most responsible for food safety, all
earn similar public-confidence ratings: 57 percent to 59
percent of adults say they have at least a "fair amount" of
confidence in the agencies' ability to maximize benefits and
minimize risks stemming from advances in science and
technology.
Key findings specific to food and nanotechnology include:
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Only 7
percent of Americans say they would purchase food enhanced
with nanotechnology, while slightly more (12 percent) say they
would buy food-storage containers enhanced with
nanotechnology.
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Substantial majorities -- 62 percent in the case of food and
73 percent in the case of nanotechnology-enhanced food
containers -- say they need more information about health
risks and benefits before deciding whether to purchase such
products.
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Adults
who have heard a lot about nanotechnology are almost three
times more likely to use food storage products enhanced with
nanotechnology (31 percent compared to 11 percent), and are
two and a half times more likely to use foods enhanced with
nanotechnology (15 percent compared to 6 percent).
Other key findings from the 2007 poll include:
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About
half (51 percent) of the public are unwilling to make any
judgment about the anticipated risks and benefits of
nanotechnology, and another quarter of Americans think risks
and benefits will be about equal. Of the remainder, 18 percent
say benefits will outweigh risks and 6 percent think risks
will exceed benefits.
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Once
provided with a brief description of the potential benefits
and potential risks of nanotechnology, those who completely
lack awareness of it are significantly more likely to shift to
the opinion that the risks will outweigh benefits. Among the
42 percent of adults who had heard nothing at all about
nanotechnology, the proportion who said risks will outweigh
benefits increased 27 points, from 4 percent to 31 percent,
after being read the statement about potential risks and
benefits.
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Confidence in business dropped, falling five points since
2006. Forty-four (44) percent of Americans have a fair amount
or a great deal of confidence in business to maximize benefits
and minimize risks of new products and technologies they
produce.
"As in
previous polls, the results of this survey indicate that
public wants more information about nanotechnology. Most
Americans will be reluctant to use nano food and food-related
products until they know enough to evaluate the merits of
these products," according to Rejeski.
About nanotechnology
Nanotechnology entails the measurement, prediction and
construction of materials on the scale of atoms and molecules.
A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, and nanotechnology
typically deals with particles and structures larger than 1
nanometer, but smaller than 100 nanometers. To put this into
perspective, the width of a human hair is approximately 80,000
nanometers. |
