Over half of Europeans have not heard of nanotechnology

The survey was commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and is the seventh in a series that attempts to gauge public feeling towards emerging technologies.

Including biotechnology and genetic engineering, computers and information technology as well as nanotechnology, and wind and solar energy, the survey questioned participants over their awareness of the technology, and whether there is support or fear surrounding its use.

Nanotechnology defined in terms of consumer products ​

In an attempt to make the technology relevant to the respondents, the definition of nanotechnology underlined its application in consumer products.

Respondents were told: “Nanotechnology involves working with atoms, and molecules to make new particles that are used in cosmetics to make better anti-aging creams, suntan oils for better protection against skin cancer and cleaning fluids to make the home more hygienic”.​

In addition to highlighting the benefits, respondents were also told: “Despite these benefits, some scientists are concerned about the unknown and possibly negative effects of nanoparticles in the body and the environment”. ​

While 55 per cent of respondents said they had not heard of nanotechnology, 25 per cent said they had talked about the technology and searched for information either occasionally or frequently.

Other questions included in the survey were designed to gauge respondents feelings about the extent of perceived benefits, whether the technology will be equitable and the perceived risk.

According the survey, taking the results together paints a rather neutral picture of European opinions: “…nanotechnology is somewhat more likely to be beneficial than not; to be unsafe rather than safe, to be inequitable, rather than equitable; and not particularly worrying,”​

Overall nanotechnology should be encouraged ​

However, the survey also asked respondents if they thought nanotechnology should be encouraged, which the authors took as a marker of support for the technology.

Overall, 61 per cent of respondents answered positively. However, there were significant differences between countries ranging from Iceland where 83 per cent said it should be encouraged and Finland with 78 per cent responding positively, to Turkey where only 41 per cent responded by saying it should be encouraged.