2020 Science
Nanotechnology 2.0: The next ten years of nano risk
research
Sometime in the past couple of weeks =E2=80=93 I=E2=80=99m not
entirely sure when as accounts are conflicting =E2=80=93 the World
Technology Evaluation Center (WTEC) posted a draft of a
new
report examining the long-term impacts and research directions
of nanotechnology. The "Nano2=E2=80=B3 study was supported
by the National Science Foundation under the direction of Mike Roco, and
included input from an impressive array of nano-experts from round the
world.
What resulted was a
13 chapter
behemoth of a report on the current state and next ten years of
nanotechnology worldwide.
Having just started to look through the report
(I was traveling when it was posted =E2=80=A6 I think) I can=E2=80=99t
really comment on it=E2=80=99s overall relevance and authority.
But if the chapter dealing with environment, health and safety (EHS)
issues is anything to go by, this is a report to take seriously=E2=80=A6
The
EHS chapter (chapter 4) is authored by
twelve recognized experts in the field of nano-risks, and presents a
comprehensive perspective on near-term research challenges and
opportunities. The chapter is far from perfect =E2=80=93 as you
would expect, it reflects the perspectives and interests of the authors
=E2=80=93 but then most reports of this type do. It also contains
some rather jangling statements. For instance on the first page the
definition of "the environmental, health and safety (EHS) of
nanomaterials=" seems to miss out environmental impact beyond
"animal health=". And a rather outmoded focus on
educating the public on page 25, where the authors
state
"A key issue therefore is for academia, industry and
government is to find appropriate mechanisms to reach consensus, and
effectively communicate and educate the public on the beneficial
implications of nanotechnology, the potential for risk, and what is
being done to ensure safe implementation of the
technology.="
Mmm, not quite what they are teaching in
engagement 101 these days!
