AbstractTo varying extents, the public distrusts science and technology; some of the issues, including the depersonalising sometimes associated with technology, are outlined. The author is not unsympathetic to some of these views. Various remedies, bringing experts and the public closer to one another, include better informing of the public, and of decision makers, changes in the attitudes of scientists, open discussions between public and decison makers, and various modes of fully involving the public in decisions.