Comments on: Part 3 - What We Will Tell The Government Regarding Nanotechnology http://www.blindside.org.uk/2007/07/06/part-3-what-we-will-tell-the-government-regarding-nanotechnology/ What's going to go wrong in our e-enabled world? Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:08:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: wendyg http://www.blindside.org.uk/2007/07/06/part-3-what-we-will-tell-the-government-regarding-nanotechnology/#comment-534 wendyg Fri, 13 Jul 2007 12:38:29 +0000 http://www.blindside.org.uk/2007/07/06/part-3-what-we-will-tell-the-government-regarding-nanotechnology/#comment-534 I recently spent a few days in Basel being shown various bits of nanoscience/tech research. I wrote up the health care stuff, but haven't had time to do the other pieces yet. The doctors involved noted that the Swiss government is considering regulation wrt nanotchnology under some pressure from I think the greens. The concern there is legitimate, in that the prospects for "theragnostics" (a particular molecule may react only in the presence of certain substances, and both diagnose and fix the problem at the molecular level) rely on particles that can penetrate the cell wall. Well, if they can penetrate the cell wall, they can be as dangerous as toxic pharmaceuticals. I will, I think, be able to say a lot more on this topic in September, when I intend to go to the first conference staged by the <a href="http://www.crnano.org" rel="nofollow">Center for Responsible Nanotechnology</a> (these guys have been around for some years, they're not just fashionable). wg I recently spent a few days in Basel being shown various bits of nanoscience/tech research. I wrote up the health care stuff, but haven’t had time to do the other pieces yet. The doctors involved noted that the Swiss government is considering regulation wrt nanotchnology under some pressure from I think the greens. The concern there is legitimate, in that the prospects for “theragnostics” (a particular molecule may react only in the presence of certain substances, and both diagnose and fix the problem at the molecular level) rely on particles that can penetrate the cell wall. Well, if they can penetrate the cell wall, they can be as dangerous as toxic pharmaceuticals.

I will, I think, be able to say a lot more on this topic in September, when I intend to go to the first conference staged by the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (these guys have been around for some years, they’re not just fashionable).

wg

]]> By: Dermott Reilly http://www.blindside.org.uk/2007/07/06/part-3-what-we-will-tell-the-government-regarding-nanotechnology/#comment-467 Dermott Reilly Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:50:52 +0000 http://www.blindside.org.uk/2007/07/06/part-3-what-we-will-tell-the-government-regarding-nanotechnology/#comment-467 Nanotechnology is coming and coming fast. We need to publicly engage more about the positives and negatives of this new technology. Nanotechnology is like the discovery of a new continent, to be explored, understood, harnessed for the benefit of humanity. It offers solutions to energy problems, pollution, starvation, water, recycling, security, healthcare and better foods. It will impact every aspect of life, so we need to learn about it fast. To ban it because we simply are afraid of it, like GN foods, would be a disaster for everyone. Germany is ten years ahead in nano technologies, so for economic efficiency and competitiveness, lets start talking. Anyone interested in working on a NANO Discovery Lab in the middle of London, contact dermott.reilly@wanadoo.fr. Nanotechnology is coming and coming fast. We need to publicly engage more about the positives and negatives of this new technology. Nanotechnology is like the discovery of a new continent, to be explored, understood, harnessed for the benefit of humanity. It offers solutions to energy problems, pollution, starvation, water, recycling, security, healthcare and better foods. It will impact every aspect of life, so we need to learn about it fast. To ban it because we simply are afraid of it, like GN foods, would be a disaster for everyone. Germany is ten years ahead in nano technologies, so for economic efficiency and competitiveness, lets start talking. Anyone interested in working on a NANO Discovery Lab in the middle of London, contact dermott.reilly@wanadoo.fr.

]]>