Table 4.

Hierarchical OLS regression analysis for regulation of nanotechnology^a

	Before-entry β
Demographics and values
Disciplinary fields and gender
Male	−0.11*
Biology	−0.07
Physics	0.02
Engineering	−0.03
Materials sciences	0.11*
Other disciplines	−0.05
Political/social ideology
Economic conservatismb	−0.19**
Social conservatismc	0.07
Societal allocation of riskd	−0.23**
Incremental R2 (in %)	15.7**
Overall perceived risks and benefits
Overall risk perceptione	0.26**
Overall benefit perceptionf	0.04
Incremental R2 (in %)	6.8**
Risks and Benefits in Application Areas
Risk perceptions
Loss of privacyg	0.14**
Lead to arms raceh	0.18**
Lead to health problemsi	0.17**
Used by terroristsj	0.14**
Loss of U.S. jobsk	0.07
Spread of tiny robotsl	0.20**
Lead to more pollutionm	0.12*
Benefit perceptions
Treating diseasesn	−0.09**
Clean environmento	−0.03
Improve human abilitiesp	0.13*
Improve national securityq	−0.05
Solve energy problemsr	−0.04
Revolutionize computerss	−0.06
Lead to economic boomt	0.04
Incremental R2 (in %)	9.4**
Total R2 (in %)	31.8**

Note: * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01

^aThe dependent variable for the model is the summative index of “Academic nanotechnology research should be regulated” and “Commercial nanotechnology research should be regulated.” The response categories for each statement are 1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree. (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.766)

^b“In terms of economic issues, would you say you are:___” (1 = Very liberal; 7 = Very conservative)

^c“In terms of social issues, would you say you are:___” (1 = Very liberal; 7 = Very conservative)

^dSocietal allocation of risk variable is based on the response to the following survey question: “Advancing nanotechnology quickly is more important than protecting society from the unknown risks” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^eOverall risk perceptions are based on response to the following survey question: “Nanotechnology is risky for society” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^fOverall benefit perceptions are based on response to the following survey question: “Nanotechnology is useful for society” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^gRisk perception about Privacy is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may lead to the loss of personal privacy because of tiny new surveillance devices” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^hRisk perception about Arms Race is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may lead to an arms race between the U.S. and other countries” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

ⁱRisk perception about Human Health is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may lead to new human health problems” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^jRisk perception about Terrorists is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may be used by terrorists against the U.S.” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^kRisk perception about Loss of Jobs is based on the response to the following survey question: “Because of nanotech we may lose more U.S. jobs.” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^lRisk perception about Tiny Robots is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may lead to the uncontrollable spread of very tiny self-replicating robots” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^mRisk perception about Environment is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may lead to more pollution and environmental contamination” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

ⁿBenefit perception about Treating Diseases is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may lead to new and better ways to treat and detect human diseases” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^oBenefit perception about Clean Environment is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may lead to new and better ways to clean up the environment” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^pBenefit perception about Improve Human Abilities is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may give scientists the ability to improve human physical & mental abilities” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^qBenefit perception about Improve National Security is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may help us develop increased national security and defensive capabilities” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^rBenefit perception about Solve Energy Problems is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may lead to technologies that will help solve our energy problems” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^sBenefit perception about Revolutionize Computer Industry is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may revolutionize the computer industry” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)

^tBenefit perception about Lead to Economic Boom is based on the response to the following survey question: “Nanotech may lead to a new economic boom” (1 = Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree)