title: The public understanding of nanotechnology in the food domain: the hidden role of views on science, technology, and nature.
abstract: In spite of great expectations about the potential of nanotechnology, this study shows that people are rather ambiguous and pessimistic about nanotechnology applications in the food domain. Our findings are drawn from a survey of public perceptions about nanotechnology food and nanotechnology food packaging (N = 752). Multinomial logistic regression analyses further reveal that knowledge about food risks and nanotechnology significantly influences people's views about nanotechnology food packaging. However, knowledge variables were unrelated to support for nanofood, suggesting that an increase in people's knowledge might not be sufficient to bridge the gap between the excitement some business leaders in the food sector have and the restraint of the public. Additionally, opposition to nanofood was not related to the use of heuristics but to trust in governmental agencies. Furthermore, the results indicate that public perceptions of nanoscience in the food domain significantly relate to views on science, technology, and nature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Center for Social Theory, Ghent University, Belgium. Frederic_Vandermoere@hks.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vandermoere
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blanchemanche
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bieberstein
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marette
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roosen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D018857:Food Packaging; D005524:Food Technology; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011639:Public Opinion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult