Public Participation in Nanotechnology - A Comparative Study



Term Paper

[No. of Words]



[Name of College/University]

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

Abstract

This study suggest that if the nanotechnologies are going to contribute to sustainable development in the society then before research and development has take place, the public should be involved in the decision making process. We draw the outline of changing relationships between science and technology development and public of UK. The study also compares the policies and regulations of UK, US and China and talks about the role played by the government in the respective country. We then argue that public participation can lead to harmonious development of nanotechnologies.

Public Participation in Nanotechnology- A Comparative Study

Background of the Study

Interest in the issue of safeguarding the ecological environment has steadily increased in recent decades. Parallel to this interest, some companies in various sectors have increased the level and quality environmental information communicated to investors and stakeholders in developing a new kind of disclosure, environmental disclosure. Several researchers have focused on the incentives for firms to undertake voluntarily disclose information on their environmental performance.

Research on the issue have focused on different aspects of this disclosure as its impact on stock prices, expectations of investors and their information needs , assessments of business risk and impact on the cost of capital and the reasons for such disclosure and the strategies pursued by firms. The majority of studies on environmental disclosure are made in developed countries like Canada, the United States, England and Australia, but what about the usefulness and relevance of information environmental context of an emerging market?

It is increasingly common to hear the terms nanotechnology nanoparticles, nanostructures, etc.., in everyday conversations, but for most people is still difficult to imagine these words out of context of science or science fiction. However, the impact is undeniable and the study of nanoscience and nanotechnology developments will have huge impact on social, cultural and economic life of all of us daily. Moreover, the positive scenario presents the great benefits that will bring us nanotechnology in the areas of health, food, energy, environment, nanotechnology in the fields of health, food, energy, environment, Electronics and Telecommunications, etc. electronics and telecommunications, etc.

But nano technology also brings many risks(for example, cancer) and this should be disclosed to the public so that they can take part in the decision making relating to the use of this technology and be able to prevent themselves form the potential hazards of nanotechnology and provide solutions to reduce these hazards.

In this brief research, we try to seek an outline of this change, ...