Trust and security in IT and the internet is one of the critical areas for debate on emerging science and technology, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Lord Sainsbury, minister for science and innovation, has launched a £1.2m grant scheme to increase debate on six key areas by funding projects that help the public and scientists to work together.

Alongside trust and security, the DTI has identified nanotechnology and increasingly intelligent computer systems as IT-related subjects for discussion.

Sainsbury says new technologies have ethical, safety, wealth and environmental complications that need to be considered before they come to the market.

'New technologies create new exciting opportunities but can also raise concerns and fears,' he said.

'We have the opportunity to harness the potential of new science and technology for the good of all but there is understandable public unease about the rapid introduction of new technologies and their regulation.

'We need much greater consideration and debate by scientists, industry and government and the public of the regulatory issues raised by new technologies.'

The grant scheme forms part of a 10-year science and society agenda, which is on element of the DTI's Science and Innovation Framework 2004-2014, published in July.

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