ABSTRACT
In this chapter we account for the first batch of deliberative processes collected for the Nanoplat project. As a first step, an inventory of deliberative processes on nanoscience and nanotechnology was prepared. In its latest version this inventory contains more than 60 different processes conducted in Europe and abroad (mainly the United States).1 Based on this overview, more than a dozen of deliberative processes were selected for review, the selection criteria being such as broad European coverage, variety in types of deliberation, consumer goods focus, availability of data and access to the field. The final selection covers four processes at European and nine processes
at national level. Most of the processes in this selection later made it into this book:
• Nanobio-RAISE (EU) • Nanologue project (EU), Chapter 10 • Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanosciences and
Nanotechnologies Research (EU) • Standardisation (EU), Chapter 11 • PubliFocus (CH) • Consumer Conference on Nanotechnology in Foods, Cosmetics
and Textiles (DE), Chapter 5 • Citizens Nano Conference (DK), Chapter 3 • Citizens’ Conference on the Nanotechnologies, Ile de France
(FR), Chapter 7 • Conferences Cycle on Nanotechnology ‘Nanomonde’ (FR),
Chapter 6 • Public Consultation on Nanotechnology for Healthcare (UK) • Nanodialogues (UK)2 • Nanotechnology Citizens’ Conference (US), Chapter 8 • National Citizens’ Technology Forum (US), Chapter 9 • Website of the Meridian Institute (US)3
The point of departure for the review of deliberative processes on nanoscience and nanotechnology is the four criteria of Cohen (1989) on ideal deliberation:
• It is a free discourse; participants regard themselves as bound solely by the results and preconditions of the deliberation process.
