Falling Through the Cracks? Public Perception, Risk, and the Oversight of Emerging Nanotechnologies

Nanotechnology is expected to be the key technology of the 21^st century. Researchers are exploring ways to see and build at this scale, reengineering familiar substances like carbon and silver to create new materials with novel properties and functions. However, the emergence of nanotechnology also provides us with an opportunity to reshape how the public perceives the government´s ability to manage risks posed by new technologies. As the first wave of nano-based products-including cosmetics, dietary supplements, food additives, and consumer products-enters the market, society will begin to ask questions about the health, environmental, and safety implications of these materials. The purpose of this paper is to connect the current state of such public perceptions-both with respect to nanotechnology, in particular, and to emerging technologies, in general-with the current state of nanotechnology product development and to analyze how well situated the public sector is to deal with these challenges.