title: Public optimism towards nanomedicine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous benefit-risk perception studies and social experiences have clearly demonstrated that any emerging technology platform that ignores benefit-risk perception by citizens might jeopardize its public acceptability and further development. The aim of this survey was to investigate the Italian judgment on nanotechnology and which demographic and heuristic variables were most influential in shaping public perceptions of the benefits and risks of nanotechnology.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this regard, we investigated the role of four demographic (age, gender, education, and religion) and one heuristic (knowledge) predisposing factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study shows that gender, education, and knowledge (but not age and religion) influenced the Italian perception of how nanotechnology will (positively or negatively) affect some areas of everyday life in the next twenty years. Furthermore, the picture that emerged from our study is that Italian citizens, despite minimal familiarity with nanotechnology, showed optimism towards nanotechnology applications, especially those related to health and medicine (nanomedicine). The high regard for nanomedicine was tied to the perception of risks associated with environmental and societal implications (division among social classes and increased public expenses) rather than health issues. However, more highly educated people showed greater concern for health issues but this did not decrease their strong belief about the benefits that nanotechnology would bring to medical fields.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results reported here suggest that public optimism towards nanomedicine appears to justify increased scientific effort and funding for medical applications of nanotechnology. It also obligates toxicologists, politicians, journalists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to establish a more responsible dialog with citizens regarding the nature and implications of this emerging technology platform.
authors.affiliation: Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. mbottini@sanfordburnham.org
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bottini
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rosato
authors.forename: Fulvia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gloria
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adanti
authors.forename: Nunziella
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Corradino
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bergamaschi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magrini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D050997:Nanomedicine; D010465:Perception; D011639:Public Opinion; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires