2/3rds of americans don't believe in evolution. That being said...
nanotech holds a lot of risks that aren't fully understood. And currently there is little to no oversight on the industry, which allows for possibly toxic substances whose effects are completely unknown to be created and dispersed. Hit up a few google searches to see that it's not all good. The industry needs oversight.
They're probably a lot better-informed than you think. Nanomaterials use in making textiles products, for example, IS highly controversial and essentially unethical. Nanosilver that's used as an antibacterial agent in socks and underwear, for example, may cross the blood-brain barrier and deposit in your brain over time. Small particles used to make your Dockers stain-resistant might be breathed in and cause lung cancer.
We're not talking about Nanocomputing. We're talking about nanotech in general. And the way that it's been put into products that we are in intimate contact with, without prior testing, is probably not morally acceptable.
This study is based on: "In a sample of 1,015 adult Americans, only 29.5 percent of respondents agreed that nanotechnology was morally acceptable." Read the link to the article... ...what an idiotic study - a nation's opinin based on 1,015 adult Americans!
Couldn't tell if that was sarcasm, but 1015 people is plenty large enough of a sample size for a national poll. It is simple statistics and a little bit of economics. Actually, most national polls are conducted with this sample size.
This just in: majority of Engadget users are misinformed and bigoted against people with different believes, are more likely to blame "southerners" than actually do a little bit of research into nanotechnology.
It's because 99% of Americans don't know what the %$*@ nanotechnology is. And that's being optimistic. We are a country of morons who form opinions about things we don't know anything about and them yell them from the pulpit. And, generally, scientific thought is the victim.
I'm getting laid off tomarrow but up untill today I've been working at brookhaven national labs center for functional nano materials some pretty wild stuff they are doing in there self assembling and stuff but anyway funny story about one of the scientists he is from somewhere near india or something and my partner was playing tony bennet on the radio and says to the guy he will give him 20$ if he can tell him who it is the guy says with all the confidence in the world 'of course elvis presley'
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Superprime @ Feb 20th 2008 6:36AM
Because they're all thinking of the grey goo scenario
threefingeredlord @ Feb 20th 2008 9:43AM
I'd like to think that, however just looking at society bursts that bubble.
Rich @ Feb 20th 2008 7:48AM
You're right. I'm sure two thirds of Americans know all about "gray goo". Just like two thirds of Americans can point to Iraq on a map.
Patrick @ Feb 20th 2008 8:04AM
maybe it's because said americans don't know that no nanos are actually hurt in the making of nanotechnology.
Dan @ Feb 20th 2008 8:19AM
Actually, it's probably the way the question was worded. "Do you think nanotechnology is morally wrong?"
If an American doesn't know what it is, it must be morally wrong!
James Bowe @ Feb 20th 2008 8:40AM
2/3rds of americans don't believe in evolution. That being said...
nanotech holds a lot of risks that aren't fully understood. And currently there is little to no oversight on the industry, which allows for possibly toxic substances whose effects are completely unknown to be created and dispersed. Hit up a few google searches to see that it's not all good. The industry needs oversight.
James Yopp @ Feb 20th 2008 8:50AM
They're probably a lot better-informed than you think. Nanomaterials use in making textiles products, for example, IS highly controversial and essentially unethical. Nanosilver that's used as an antibacterial agent in socks and underwear, for example, may cross the blood-brain barrier and deposit in your brain over time. Small particles used to make your Dockers stain-resistant might be breathed in and cause lung cancer.
We're not talking about Nanocomputing. We're talking about nanotech in general. And the way that it's been put into products that we are in intimate contact with, without prior testing, is probably not morally acceptable.
MonteVale @ Feb 20th 2008 9:02AM
This study is based on: "In a sample of 1,015 adult Americans, only 29.5 percent of respondents agreed that nanotechnology was morally acceptable."
Read the link to the article...
...what an idiotic study - a nation's opinin based on 1,015 adult Americans!
HOGWASH AND POPPYCOCK!!! this is bloody FARCE!
ron @ Feb 20th 2008 9:24AM
monteVale
Couldn't tell if that was sarcasm, but 1015 people is plenty large enough of a sample size for a national poll. It is simple statistics and a little bit of economics. Actually, most national polls are conducted with this sample size.
Mobius_1 @ Feb 20th 2008 10:03AM
@James, wow that was quite and interesting and intriguing insight
But I still think the title should read "two-thirds of Americans do not know about nanotechnology"
Such is the way I'm inclined to believe after seeing some of the videos on Youtube (Miss Teen USA, anyone?)
ben @ Feb 20th 2008 3:29PM
This just in: majority of Engadget users are misinformed and bigoted against people with different believes, are more likely to blame "southerners" than actually do a little bit of research into nanotechnology.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotoxicology
Marron @ Feb 20th 2008 6:14PM
It's because 99% of Americans don't know what the %$*@ nanotechnology is. And that's being optimistic. We are a country of morons who form opinions about things we don't know anything about and them yell them from the pulpit. And, generally, scientific thought is the victim.
Sean @ Feb 21st 2008 8:39PM
I'm getting laid off tomarrow but up untill today I've been working at brookhaven national labs center for functional nano materials some pretty wild stuff they are doing in there self assembling and stuff but anyway funny story about one of the scientists he is from somewhere near india or something and my partner was playing tony bennet on the radio and says to the guy he will give him 20$ if he can tell him who it is the guy says with all the confidence in the world 'of course elvis presley'