Public Perceptions
News
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news/archive
April 21, 2011
New Report Finds Public Perception of Nanotechnology Not Negative
Today the Food Standards Authority issued a report on consumer attitudes to the use of nanotechnology in Food, drinks and other related products such as processing and packaging. The results, based on focus group studies, suggest that the public perception of nanotechnology in food is not negative, and is based on weighing up the benefits with risks.
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news/archive
March 10, 2011
Nanotech-enabled Consumer Products Continue to Rise
The most recent update to the Nanotechnology Consumer Product Inventory finds that over 1,300 manufacturer-identified nanotechnology-enabled consumer products have entered the marketplace to date.
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news/archive
April 26, 2010
Reinventing Technology Assessment for the 21st Century
A new report defines the criteria for a new technology assessment function in the United States, emphasizing the need to incorporate citizen-participation methods to complement expert analysis.
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news/archive
March 26, 2010
Special Report on nanotechnology from AOL News
AOL News published a three part series on nanotechnology. “Nanotechnology has long been hyped for its potential to cure diseases, ease energy problems, supercharge our computers and more. But increasing evidence shows that the engineered particles could pose a giant risk to the environment and human life.”
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news/archive
February 17, 2010
Organising Collective Responsibility
A new paper makes a case for organizing collective responsibility through instruments beyond the regulatory system, such as codes of conduct and various deliberative assessment mechanisms within and outside the policy context.
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news/archive
February 17, 2010
Understanding Public Debate on Nanotechnologies: Options for Framing Public Policy
A new publication outlines the nature of the public debate on nanosciences and nanotechnologies.
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news/archive
November 10, 2009
findNano App Puts Nanotech in Your Pocket
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies has developed findNano, an application for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch that lets users discover and determine whether consumer products are nanotechnology-enabled.
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news/archive
October 13, 2009
Nanotechnologies Roundtable with Dr. Andrew Maynard
A roundtable discussion with Andrew Maynard, Chief Science Advisor, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. Discussion topics include Dr. Maynard’s experience and current role; ‘nanotechnology’ basics and definitions; manufacturing process and opportunities; regulatory status; potential environmental and health concerns; and more.
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news/archive
October 13, 2009
Mama, Dada, and Nano?
A new article in The Progressive discusses the potential toxicity of nanoparticles in consumer products.
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news/archive
September 29, 2009
Nanotechnology and Synthetic Biology: What does the American public think?
Nanotechnology and synthetic biology continue to develop as two of the most exciting areas of scientific discovery, but research has shown that the public is almost completely unaware of the science and its applications. A groundbreaking poll of 1,001 U.S. adults conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates and the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) found 90 percent of Americans think that the public should be better informed about the development of cutting-edge technologies.
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news/archive
August 25, 2009
Nanotech-enabled Consumer Products Top the 1,000 Mark
Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory now contains over 1,000 nanotechnology-enabled consumer products, reflecting the increasing use of tiny particles in everything from conventional products like non-stick cookware and lighter, stronger tennis racquets, to more unique items such as wearable sensors that monitor posture.
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news/archive
April 28, 2009
Former EPA Official Calls For New Environmental & Consumer Protection Agency
Existing health and safety agencies are unable to cope with the risk assessment, standard setting and oversight challenges of advancing nanotechnology. In a landmark report, Oversight of Next Generation Nanotechnology, J. Clarence Davies highlights the need for a new agency to address current forms of pollution and to deal with the health and environmental impacts of the technically complex products promised by rapid 21st century scientific advances.
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news/archive
January 28, 2009
World’s First Mandatory National Nanotech Requirement Pending
Canada is reportedly planning in February to become the first nation in the world to require companies to detail their use of engineered nanomaterials. The information gathered under the requirement will be used to evaluate the risks of engineered nanomaterials and will help to develop appropriate safety measures to protect human health and the environment.
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news/archive
January 27, 2009
Ethical Evaluations of Nanotechnology
Recent action in Congress to reauthorize the U.S. federal nanotechnology research program offers the chance to address the social and ethical issues concerning the emerging scientific field, experts say. “It is crucial to address social and ethical issues now as we consider both the substantial potential risks of nanotechnology and its possible significant contributions to our well-being and environmental sustainability,” says Ronald Sandler, Northeastern University philosophy professor and author of a new report released today by the Project.