reference material
I.
The report of the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering "Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties", published on July 29, 2004, may be a useful reference in preparing papers for all of the proposed sessions. Please refer to the following links:
http://www.nanotec.org.uk/report/summary.pdf
http://www.raeng.org.uk/news/news.asp
http://www.nanotec.org.uk/finalReport.htm
1. This report encourages examination of research questions and aims including the following:
- definition of "nanotechnologies" and identification of its domain (pragmatic approach vs. defining it as "new"; nanotechnologies as a converging technology)
- toxicity of nano products ("lifecycle assessment"; specific vs. - e.g. asbestos - analogy approach)
- side-effects and toxicity in medicine: cooperation between researchers who examine environmental impacts and toxicity and those who target medications
- difficulties, problems, and solutions peculiar to nanotechnologies in the transition from lab to production
- Who controls the application of nanotechnologies?
- Who benefits from nanotechnologies?
2. The report simply assumes certain basic terms and theoretical and methodical standards of dialogue which in fact merit closer attention:
- institutionalism (institutional cooperation, nano specific incentives, innovation)
- discourse (terminology, information and cognizance; cooperation and dialogue)
- Combining the two, the report emphasizes (the monitoring of) public knowledge of nanotechnologies, public attitudes towards nanotechnologies, and
- the support of "stakeholders" in proactive and constructive public dialogue.
3. The report recognizes no need for a moratorium in the case that its research and regulation propositions of nanotechnologies are followed:
- There should be consideration of other types of regulations (a moratorium, codes …) in larger contexts, i.e. national, transnational (e.g. EU), internal, global.
- The TA-perspective on nanotechnologies should be discussed (pragmatic approach, NBIC context, hypothetic context of an upcoming nano society).
- The report focuses on nano education. Is there an integrative theory involving the (personal, i.e. responsibility, institutional) regulation, formation, knowledge, and history of nanotechnology?
II.
In its executive summary and particularly in its recommendations, the report of the EU-High Level Expert Group, "Converging Technologies - Shaping the Future of European Societies", also indicates issues for investigation and development that, could also contribute to our work in each session.
