Risk assessment: nanotechnology

Where to draw a line: locating the risk

The unpredictable future of nano technology is challenging, for uncertainties but also immense opportunities. By all estimates scientific research programmes at large scale are outlined or influenced by funding bodies. Nanoscience, especially for the requirement of sophisticated probing tools and expertise, follows the same path. One particular feature in nanotechnology is multidisciplinary aspect, with additional dependence on sharing the results and collective engagement, which require collaboration of scientists with diverse speciality working on a single research question. This is due to myriad possibilities that are open and need probing. The comparative advantage of nanoscience to create novel solutions for human problems will thrive providing supportive environment for extensive research, connectivity and creativity is not disturbed.

On the other hand, since nanotechnology is relevant to all issues of concern such as climate change, environmental toxicity, pandemics, ageing population, energy, etc. – that are at risk of terrorist or other criminal activities, comprehensive guidelines should be in order to regulate and standardize the “commercialisation” of any nano-tech product "prior" to mass production and marketing. That is the "cutting point" where extreme checks and balances need to be established. Unwanted consequences of the new technology – abuse in mal-intention schemes - may be immense and far reaching with greater global impacts, which require collective action, and international executive branch – perhaps at the level of metropolitan police. Therefore, regulatory clauses need to be highly technical, all inclusive and informed by scientific and political bodies but also need to envisage proper executive power overseeing national politics – to act far more effective than eg. UN in risky countries. In this sense, perhaps an international regulatory regime must be defined to make best estimate of risks that may spread out internationally between countries, and across the globe.

The hope is that before film companies make huge profits out of banal horror scenarios, some extraordinary beneficial applications go public in order to do away with the hype and restore people’s trust in this novel path to enhance human capabilities.thoughtful


Nasrin


Ref:


Goldin I, 21 Century James Martin School, The future of humanity, Oxford Univ, public seminar podcast, Sept 2008

Schmidt, Project on Emerging Nanotechlogoies, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, www.nanotechproject.org
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20026814.000?DCMP=NLC-nletter&nsref=mg20026814.000
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001459/145951e.pdf