Swinburne National Technology and Society Monitor 2004

We are living during a time of rapid technological change. Emerging technologies---notably information and life science technologies---have profound social, political, psychological and ethical implications. Public perceptions of emerging technologies are potentially volatile, as demonstrated in the controversies around genetically modified foods and stem cell research. The Swinburne National Technology and Society Monitor (SNTSM) was developed by the Australian Centre for Emerging Technologies and Society (ACETS) at Swinburne University of Technology. It provides an annual ‘snapshot’ of public perceptions regarding new technologies in Australia. The 2004 Monitor is the second edition of the Swinburne National Technology and Society Monitor. The Monitor will provide an opportunity to understand how and why public perceptions change in relation to new technologies. [Introduction]