The development of nanotechnologies raises numerous questions and sometimes oppositions in different groups of the general opinion. This dimension is dealt with in the 4th unit of the exhibition, through a series of filmed interviews with philosophers and scientists. The audience is also invited to write down contributions, which are directly broadcasted in the exhibition.

However, we recommend the organization of meetings and/or public debates parallel to the presentation of the exhibition. Indeed, the exhibition is not a place for debate but more a place of information, experimentation and discovery. The exhibition is complementary to the debate, which requires knowledge of the subject and of its stakes. Therefore, exhibition and public debates fuel each other.

3 main categories of questions can be identified:

1) Risk management and scientific incertitude: Are nanotechnologies inducing health-related risks or environment-related risks? What is the actual state of knowledge concerning “nano toxicology”? Which measures are being taken by industrial producers? How to apply the precaution principle to the development of nanotechnologies?  

2) The question of nanotechnologies’ social utility: What are the socio-economic stakes of nanotechnologies development? Who makes the decisions concerning projects and financing? What are the employment and training perspectives? What are the alternatives to the development of nanotechnologies? How can we associate the citizens to this development?

3) The question of Ethics: Are nanotechnologies raising new ethical questions? What visions of man, society and nature are nanotechnologies carrying? Can nanotechnologies be the cause of new conflicts? What are the military researches developed in this field? How can we conciliate the increased control induced by nanotechnologies with the protection of individual rights? 

Different methods can be used to organize a public debate. The keys to a good organization are:

The constitution of a piloting committee associating every involved parties (scientists and non-scientists, industrials, associations, non-profit organizations, trade unions, elected members, etc.);

The choice of speakers;

The allocation of speaking time between experts and citizens and the animation of the debate;

The distribution of information mediums to keep the debate going and to constitute common references;

The choices of the debate’s place and time;

The communication before, during and after the debate.

As an example, the CCSTI Grenoble has collaborated with the VIVAGORA association to organize a cycle of 5 public debates on the stakes of nanotechnologies, the NANOVIV cycle, which took place by the end of the year 2006.

For more information on the public debates in relation to the NANOTECHNOLOGIES exhibition, contact laurent.chicoineau@ccsti-grenoble.org, director of CCSTI Grenoble.