Experts warn that current methods of involving the public are "marked by mixed motives and confused practices," and call for a radical shake-up of how Europe engages the public.
Scientists and politicians often cite the public debate on genetically-modified foods as a case study of how communication failures can hold up technological progress. Many of the interest groups with concerns about GM foods remain deeply sceptical of nanotechnology.
The 'Deepen' report, which brings together findings from a three-year European research project involving ethicists, philosophers and the social and political sciences, says regulators and industry need to be more open with the public when crafting governance plans for new technologies.
Codes of conduct on nanotechnology are also important, according to the report, although the public is consistently wary of self-regulation by industry.
Research has found that, just as with genetically-modified foods, most non-scientists accept that a degree of risk is inevitable when introducing new technologies.
However, it warns the public is "concerned about the motivations driving technology," and are suspicious that the risks will be spread across society while the benefits will not be distributed equally.
Phil Macnaghten of Durham University in the UK said the public raises genuine concerns which must be addressed.
"Technologies are being driven forward with insufficient reflection on why they are being developed and on what this is likely to mean for future society," he said.
Involving public in policymaking
He said the public is keen to be involved in deliberating on the far-reaching questions science is addressing and that policymakers must find new ways to ensure public views are used to inform science policy.
The European Commission held a public hearing earlier this month and received dozens of position papers from organised stakeholders such as industry lobbies and environmental NGOs.
However, Macnaghten said the aim of engaging the public in shaping science policy is not simply about getting society to accept new technologies. He expressed scepticism about stakeholder dialogue exercises, which he warned often lead to a "cosy consensus".
He said NGOs tend to work within existing frameworks, focusing on risks and benefits, but it is important to involve citizens who are not organised into lobby groups.
The report, launched in Brussels yesterday (29 September) urges policymakers "to develop a healthy scepticism about the rhetoric of the win-win situation characteristic of much discourse on nanotechnology".
Thinking of technology solely as a source of progress without negative consequences will hinder the responsible development of nanotech, it concludes.
