Suchergebnisse

The relation between scientific knowledge & attitudes toward science & technology (S&T) was investigated via phone survey data from 2,000 Canadian adults on basic scientific concepts, understanding of the processes of science, & understanding of the relation of S&T to society. Attitudes toward S&T were generally positive, with ambivalence toward some issues. Factor analysis yielded two factors: trust-distrust & efficacy. LISREL modeling shows that lower levels of scientific knowledge were associated with distrust of science & the feeling that they could not affect science policy decisions. Since scientific knowledge is information mediated by the mass media, positive media coverage may supplement scientific literacy & instill positive evaluations of science. 2 Tables, 2 Figures, 17 References. Adapted from the source document.

Part 1 : The purpose and function of public participation -- Part 2 : External conditions for legitimate public engagement -- Part 3 : Internal conditions for legitimate public engagement -- Part 4 : Institutional contexts of public participation -- Part 5 : Modes of and experiments in participation -- Part 6 : Understanding stakeholders and publics

Under what conditions does the perceived "unnaturalness" of a specific application of synthetic biology influence its public acceptability? Using data from a framing experiment embedded in a national survey of Canadian adults, we argue that this consideration leads to negative perceptions of the technology only when opponents of the application use rhetoric that refers to its unnaturalness and when characteristics of the application itself, such as the use of genetic material from "dissimilar" organisms, increase the perceived relevance of such arguments. Additionally, we find that individuals who view nature as sacred or spiritual are most responsive to unnaturalness framing.

Biotechnology and nanotechnology are both strategic technologies, and the former provides several lessons that could contribute to more successful embedding and integration processes for the latter. This article identifies some of the key questions emerging from the biotechnology experience and summarizes several lessons learned in the context of constructive technology assessment. This approach broadens the range of social considerations relevant to the sustainable development of nanotechnology and emphasizes the need for developing social tools for nanotechnology innovation while the technology is in its early stages of design.