Abstract
We present an analysis of how citizens form attitudes about labeling nanotechnology, building on previous work on the socio-cultural dynamics under publics’ perceptions of risks and governance of emerging technologies. We examine whether individuals’ views about labeling nanotechnology products are correlated with their attitudes about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which we argue offers preliminary support for a ‘spillover’ effect, such that individuals may anchor their judgments about nanotechnology to their attitudes about the more publicized GMO issue. Using data from a representative sample of U.S. adults, we find that GMO risk perceptions are associated with support for labeling nano-enabled products, and evidence that publics’ perceptions of GMOs’ benefits moderate the extent that nanotechnology benefit perceptions guide these attitudes. A tendency to defer to scientific authority also affects the extent to which individuals use their GMO risk and benefit perceptions to make a judgment about labeling. We conclude by discussing the implications of a possible technology spillover effect for responsible and anticipatory regulation and policy for emerging technologies.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Responsible Innovation |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2018 |
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Keywords
- Emerging technologies
- genetically modified organisms
- labeling
- nanotechnology
- risk perception
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Management of Technology and Innovation
- Strategy and Management
- Information Systems and Management
Cite this
Are attitudes toward labeling nano products linked to attitudes toward GMO? Exploring a potential ‘spillover’ effect for attitudes toward controversial technologies. / Akin, Heather; Yeo, Sara K.; Wirz, Christopher D.; Scheufele, Dietram A.; Brossard, Dominique; Xenos, Michael A.; Corley, Elizabeth.
In: Journal of Responsible Innovation, 01.01.2018.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Are attitudes toward labeling nano products linked to attitudes toward GMO? Exploring a potential ‘spillover’ effect for attitudes toward controversial technologies
AU - Akin, Heather
AU - Yeo, Sara K.
AU - Wirz, Christopher D.
AU - Scheufele, Dietram A.
AU - Brossard, Dominique
AU - Xenos, Michael A.
AU - Corley, Elizabeth
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - We present an analysis of how citizens form attitudes about labeling nanotechnology, building on previous work on the socio-cultural dynamics under publics’ perceptions of risks and governance of emerging technologies. We examine whether individuals’ views about labeling nanotechnology products are correlated with their attitudes about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which we argue offers preliminary support for a ‘spillover’ effect, such that individuals may anchor their judgments about nanotechnology to their attitudes about the more publicized GMO issue. Using data from a representative sample of U.S. adults, we find that GMO risk perceptions are associated with support for labeling nano-enabled products, and evidence that publics’ perceptions of GMOs’ benefits moderate the extent that nanotechnology benefit perceptions guide these attitudes. A tendency to defer to scientific authority also affects the extent to which individuals use their GMO risk and benefit perceptions to make a judgment about labeling. We conclude by discussing the implications of a possible technology spillover effect for responsible and anticipatory regulation and policy for emerging technologies.
AB - We present an analysis of how citizens form attitudes about labeling nanotechnology, building on previous work on the socio-cultural dynamics under publics’ perceptions of risks and governance of emerging technologies. We examine whether individuals’ views about labeling nanotechnology products are correlated with their attitudes about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which we argue offers preliminary support for a ‘spillover’ effect, such that individuals may anchor their judgments about nanotechnology to their attitudes about the more publicized GMO issue. Using data from a representative sample of U.S. adults, we find that GMO risk perceptions are associated with support for labeling nano-enabled products, and evidence that publics’ perceptions of GMOs’ benefits moderate the extent that nanotechnology benefit perceptions guide these attitudes. A tendency to defer to scientific authority also affects the extent to which individuals use their GMO risk and benefit perceptions to make a judgment about labeling. We conclude by discussing the implications of a possible technology spillover effect for responsible and anticipatory regulation and policy for emerging technologies.
KW - Emerging technologies
KW - genetically modified organisms
KW - labeling
KW - nanotechnology
KW - risk perception
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85053396283&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85053396283&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/23299460.2018.1495026
DO - 10.1080/23299460.2018.1495026
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85053396283
JO - Journal of Responsible Innovation
JF - Journal of Responsible Innovation
SN - 2329-9460
ER -