International audiences for news of emerging technologies: Canadian and U.S. responses to bio- and nanotechnologies

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2005

Publication Title

First Impressions: Understanding Public Views on Emerging Technologies

Publisher

Genome Prairie GE3LS team, University of Calgary

Abstract

Emerging technologies can be described in a number of ways. These are technologies in the developmental stage of production, perhaps not yet fully exploited by firms. For many of these, basic research may still be taking place and the projections of potential applications remain just that – projected aspirations and hopes. When we look back to the histories of various technologies now embedded in society – from vaccines to computers, electricity to enhanced foods, we see historical trajectories that have led to numerous life and societal changes – from reduced mortality to revolutionized working conditions. These histories also remind us that once upon a time, these technologies may not always have been greeted with excitement and anticipation.

Keywords

Biotechnology – Public opinion; Canada; Nanotechnology – Public opinion; Science news; United States

Disciplines

Communication | Science and Technology Studies

Language

English

Permissions

Use Find in Your Library, contact the author, or use interlibrary loan to garner a copy of the article. Publisher copyright policy allows author to archive post-print (author’s final manuscript). When post-print is available or publisher policy changes, the article will be deposited


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