"The author argues that the public thematization of nanotechnology (“nanos”) reveals a turning point in the path of scientific research within society and, more specifically that it reveals a change in the politicization of science in France. The idea of democratizing scientific research through public participation raises two questions: the first concerns the very conditions of social consensus in civil society; the second concerns the need to conceptualize the relations between the scientific sphere and public discussion. Renewed criticism of research policies has particularly avoided participation or control by researchers, thus creating tension between researchers and civil society."