U.S. public has positive view about nanotechnology

Although they know little to nothing factual about nanotechnology, Americans generally hold a positive view of the emerging science, according to a recent survey conducted by North Carolina State University researchers.

More than 80 percent of those polled indicated they had heard "little" or "nothing" about nanotechnology, yet 40 percent of respondents predicted nanotechnology would produce more benefits than risks. Another 38 percent believed risks and benefits of nanotechnology would be about equal, and only 22 percent said risks outweigh the benefits.

Fifty-seven percent of the respondents selected medical advances as the most important benefit, followed by environmental cleanup (16 percent), security and defense (12 percent), and improved human physical and mental abilities (11 percent). Only 4 percent saw "cheaper, longer-lasting consumer products" as the most important benefit.

In choosing which of five nanotechnology risks it was most important to avoid, respondents' top choice was loss of privacy due to surveillance (32 percent), followed by a nanotechnology arms race (24 percent), nanoparticles accumulating inside humans (19 percent), and economic disruption with job loss (14 percent). Twelve percent were most concerned about the uncontrollable spread of self-replicating nanobots.

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I am quite surprised by this survey as all one ever seems to hear is people screaming about the evils of nanotec. Perhaps the general public is becoming more aware of the benefits of technological advancement and less obsessed with wardrob malfunctions and reality television.

I can hope, can't I!

Pretty funny that they are basing their judgement on something they know 'little to nothing' about! I am guess these are the same people that elected Bush! Hehe...

ROFLMFAO!!!!

They are doing a survey on something they know hardly anything about...

Pfft..."surveliance" RFOLMFAO!!!