Public and Scientific Community Attitudes towards Nanotechnology Applications

The emergence of nanotechnologies having high market potential is followed by concerns associated with their adoption, acceptance and diffusion. However, the public and academic anxiety about the risk of nanomaterial application in food, cosmetics, agricultural and other industries, may significantly affect the opportunities and prospects for the development of nanotechnologies. The paper is devoted to the study of social concerns related to nanotechnologies. It is concluded that there is no consensus among academia regarding opportunities and risks of nanomaterial implementation. The hazards and consequences of nanotechnology applications have been described. It has been demonstrated that studies of nanotoxicity are frequently carried out in far from reality conditions and tend to be perceived as prognostic. Nevertheless, assuming the results of this kind of studies being popularized through mass media, it can cause the formation of public opposition with respect to nanotechnology application.