National citizens technology forum: nanotechnology and human enhancement

This is the final report of a public engagement experiment held by the Center for Nanotechnology in Society entitled the "National Citizens Technology Forum" which consisted of a series of six different meetings held in different regions around the country that brought together a broad range of citizens to discuss the topic of nanotechnology and human enhancement. After participating in a series of face to face and electronic meetings, the groups were asked to draft a report that represented the consensus of their local group. The research found that all six groups were concerned about the effectiveness of regulation for the use of nanotechnologies and other technologies for human enhancement, and the need for more public information about these technologies. Five of six groups were concerned about the equity of distribution of the benefits of these new technologies, the setting of appropriate international standards to ensure safety, and the role that stakeholders should play in setting the research agenda. The report includes the major findings from the consensus reports, and an analysis of the success of this public engagement experiment.