Survey finds nanotechnology attitudes vary

NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 7 (UPI) -- A survey finds U.S. citizens have emotional reactions concerning the emerging field of nanotechnology, with perceptions threatening to divide the nation.

"The U.S. public's perception of nanotechnology is up for grabs," said Yale University Professor Dan Kahan, one of the online survey's investigators. "It could divide along the lines of nuclear power, global warming and other contentious environmental issues, absent a major public education and engagement effort by industry, government, civic groups and scientists."

He said people who know little or nothing about nanotechnology, which tries to develop functional machines and equipment at the molecular or smaller levels, instantly react in an emotionally charged way to the concept, with their opinions following cultural lines.

"Nothing in our findings suggests public polarization over nanotechnology is inevitable," noted Don Braman, a professor at George Washington University. "How people learn about nanotechnologies, from whom, and with what message, will be critical to public perceptions in the future."

The study also confirmed a major finding of an earlier poll that U.S. citizens are largely unaware of nanotechnology. The new survey found more than 80 percent of U.S. respondents had heard "little" or "nothing at all" about nanotechnology.