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Nanotechnology:
A Public Radio Commentary
by Bill Hammack
Listen using RealAudio
With nanotechnology engineers manipulate atomic sized particles
to create tiny machines. They'll be able to create, for example,
toothpaste filled with nano-particles that repair damaged teeth,
or pills that are really tiny pacemakers. Although still a young
technology, the National Science Foundation forecasts the U.S.
Market will be one trillion dollars by 2016.
Yet this promise may never be fulfilled, but not for lack of
technological know how or resources: The U.S. Government alone
will pour 3.7 billion dollars into nanotech over the next four
year. But to really thrive a technology needs more than a
scientific side, it must fit into our world socially and legally.
For nanotech storm clouds already loom on the horizon.
For example, Britain's Prince Charles suggested that
nanotechnology could be a disaster like thalidomide - the drug
that caused grotesque birth defects in the 1960s. His remarks
signal to the nanotech community the work yet to be done in
creating a public receptive to their technology.
I suggest they look carefully at two negative role models:
Biotechnology and nuclear power. Nether industry conveyed to the
public the benefit of their product, nor did they listen to
public concerns. In the absence of intelligent dialogue,
heightened concerns grew over the risk, nearly crippling both
industries. Better public engagement could have prevented this
backlash. The public isn't going to accept any technology where
there hasn't been detailed studies of risks and benefits.
Right now the lack of information about nanotechnology invites
alarmist scenarios. The nanotech industry needs to educate the
public about what exactly nanotechnology is, and it needs to
listen carefully to public concerns.
And there are other ways nanotech needs to fit into our world
before being fully accepted - consider legal and regulatory
aspects. The EPA is deciding whether to regulate nano-materials
under the Toxic Substances Control Act, or to classify them as
the naturally occurring "ultra-fine" materials - the same as
dust, forest fire smoke, volcanic ash, bacteria and viruses.
And Patent Examiners are grappling with nanotech. If you use nano
methods to make a tiny motor is that legally any different than a
full-sized motor? In the past a simple change in size hasn't been
patentable absent some other utility or novelty that comes from
miniaturization.
To researchers who enjoy conquering the technological problems of
creating a nanotech world, these social, legal and regulatory
concerns may seem like dull things. Yet, some fraction of the
nearly four billion dollars being invested into nanotechnology
needs to be used to answer these questions. If not then these
tiny nano-sized machines will bite back big time.
Copyright 2004 William S. Hammack Enterprises
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