U.S. Public Sensible About Nanotech
From: Foresight Institute (foresight_at_foresight.org)
Date: 07/23/04
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Date: 23 Jul 2004 22:37:01 GMT
FORESIGHT INSTITUTE NEWS RELEASE
U.S. PUBLIC SENSIBLE ABOUT NANOTECHNOLOGY
HAS CLEAR UNDERSTANDNG OF NANOTECH BENEFITS, DOWNSIDES
Palo Alto, CA - July 22, 2004 - Since 1986 Foresight Institute, a
nanotechnology
education and public policy think tank, has worked to educate the public about
molecular nanotechnology. Founded by Dr. Eric Drexler, author of Engines of
Creation and Nanosystems, and Christine Peterson, president, Foresight
Institute's
mission has been to prepare society for nanotechnology with a focus on
balanced
discussion and broad understanding of its potential by the general public.
A recent study of the American public's views on nanotechnology has shown a
remarkably accurate understanding of its potential benefits and drawbacks.
Conducted by North Carolina State University researcher, Dr. Michael Cobb,
assistant professor of political science, who designed the survey and analyzed
the
data, and Dr. Patrick Hamlett, associate professor of science, technology and
society, and Dr. Jane Macoubrie, assistant professor of communication, the
results
will appear in the next Journal of Nanoparticle Research.
Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the study found a majority (57
percent) of respondents selected medical advances as the most important benefit,
followed by environmental cleanup (16 percent), security and defense (12
percent), and improved human physical and mental abilities (11 percent). Only
4
percent saw "cheaper, longer-lasting consumer products" as the most important
benefit.
In choosing which of five risks it was most important to avoid, respondents' top
choice was loss of privacy due to surveillance (32 percent), followed by a
nanotechnology arms race (24 percent), nanoparticles accumulating inside
humans (19 percent), and economic disruption with job loss (14 percent). Only 12
percent were most concerned about the uncontrollable spread of self-replicating
nanobots.
Approximately 70 percent were "somewhat" to "very" hopeful about nanotechnology.
"It's extremely gratifying to see that the message of nanotech's benefits and
potential downsides has been heard so clearly by the public," said Christine
Peterson, president and founder of Foresight Institute. "Foresight has worked
hard to present a balanced view of the future we can expect from nanotech: huge
medical and environmental advances, but with some key concerns about potential
misuse. One of our central points has been that deliberate abuse is a far
bigger
issue than scary accident scenarios of nanobots run amok. These messages have
come through loud and clear.
"Some nanotech promoters, and even some researchers, have criticized Foresight
Institute for mentioning negative applications," Peterson continued. "This
survey
indicates that balanced discussion of nanotech's benefits and potential
drawbacks
is being handled well by the U.S. public. The task ahead is to help reinforce
and
maintain the common-sense views already held by the public, and make sure
their concerns are addressed."
For more information about the North Carolina State University study:
http://www.ncsu.edu/news/press_releases/04_07/211.htm
ABOUT FORESIGHT INSTITUTE
Foresight Institute is the leading public interest organization focused on
nanotechnology. Formed in 1986 by K. Eric Drexler and Christine Peterson,
Foresight dedicates itself to providing education, policy development, and
networking to maximize benefits and minimize downsides of molecular
manufacturing.
www.foresight.org
Foresight Institute is producing the 1st Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology:
Research, Applications, Policy, October 22-23, 2004, in the Washington, DC area.
www.mnt2004.org
-----------------------------------------------------------
Foresight Institute, PO Box 61058, Palo Alto, CA 94306 USA
tel +1 650 917 1122 fax +1 650 917 1123
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