Predicting the Future: Review of Public Perception Studies of Nanotechnology

Public perception may have a strong impact on the progress of nanotechnology. A comprehensive risk assessment should therefore take the public into account. This article reviews the social science research examining public perception of nanotechnology. Factors that are important for shaping public perception are described, and applications that could pose acceptance problems are identified. Possibilities and limits of research dealing with future acceptance of nanotechnology are discussed. Implications for industry and science are outlined.