title: Scientists' Ethical Obligations and Social Responsibility for Nanotechnology Research.
abstract: Scientists' sense of social responsibility is particularly relevant for emerging technologies. Since a regulatory vacuum can sometimes occur in the early stages of these technologies, individual scientists' social responsibility might be one of the most significant checks on the risks and negative consequences of this scientific research. In this article, we analyze data from a 2011 mail survey of leading U.S. nanoscientists to explore their perceptions the regarding social and ethical responsibilities for their nanotechnology research. Our analyses show that leading U.S. nanoscientists express a moderate level of social responsibility about their research. Yet, they have a strong sense of ethical obligation to protect laboratory workers (in both universities and industry) from unhealthy exposure to nanomaterials. We also find that there are significant differences in scientists' sense of social and ethical responsibility depending on their demographic characteristics, job affiliation, attention to media content, risk perceptions and benefit perceptions. We conclude with some implications for future research.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 450, Mail Code 3720, Phoenix, AZ, 85004-0687, USA. Elizabeth.corley@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Corley
authors.affiliation: School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 450, Mail Code 3720, Phoenix, AZ, 85004-0687, USA.
authors.forename: Youngjae
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: John E. Ross Professor, Department of Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 309 Hiram Smith Hall, 1545 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, 53706-1215, USA.
authors.forename: Dietram A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Scheufele
mesh_terms: D032984:Ethics, Research; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D028681:Moral Obligations; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000941:ethics*; D012106:Research; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000941:ethics*; D012586:Science / Q000941:ethics*; D012941:Social Responsibility; D014481:United States
keywords: Nanotechnology; Research ethics; Scientist perceptions; Social responsibility