| New Report Urges Coordinated and Integrated Oversight of Nanotechnology
New technology can enhance our quality of life, but how can we ensure the health
and environmental safety of its applications? The
Center for Science, Technology, and Public Policy (CSTPP) at the Humphrey
Institute of Public Affairs has released a new report that addresses this question
as it relates to nanotechnology, a rapidly emerging area with hundreds of applications,
many already in the marketplace. The report captures recommendations and information
developed at a conference held at the Humphrey Institute last fall.
Practitioners, academics, and scientists contributed to the report, The
Nanotechnology-Biology Interface: Exploring Models for Oversight, and their
conclusions raise issues for government bodies, scientists, the private sector,
and consumers. According to the report, the applications of nanotechnology require
revised risk models and standards of safety. Researchers and others argue that
it is increasingly urgent we address the issue of oversight as several new products
already are in use by consumers and many more are on the way.
The effects of nanoparticles can be dual in nature leading to several safety
concerns that must be considered. For example, some nanoparticles have the rare
ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, which can assist the medical field
by delivering drugs to the brain; however, those same capabilities can pose
greater risk if toxic particles are inhaled. In environmental applications,
the penetration capabilities of nanoparticles could lead to unwanted contamination
of our resources if not used properly. Because of these and other issues, the
report suggests increased funding for health and environmental safety research
on nanoparticles and requests that basic information on the nature and toxicity
of nanomaterials be made available to the general public before the products
enter the market. Much of this information is now considered confidential.
Unfortunately, amending or developing new laws to regulate the use of nanotechnology
is difficult in the short- and even long-term. The report calls for immediate
ways to ensure that nanotechnology is used responsibly in the interim. It supports
current efforts underway in the public and private sector to implement voluntary
programs and industry standards.
"These voluntary programs can provide the necessary bridge for ensuring
health and environmental safety, but they should not be considered a permanent
fix, as they will not ultimately foster public confidence," said Humphrey
Institute Assistant Professor Jennifer
Kuzma, CSTPP associate director and editor of the report. "With the
growing number of nanotech products on the market, it will be even more difficult
for government and industry to keep up if they don't start thinking now about
nanotechnology oversight in a coordinated and comprehensive way."
The report also calls for more conversation about nanotechnology that is not
confined to science and safety. Many experts believe nanotechnology could someday
be used to improve human senses, memory, strength, and appearance; delay or
stop aging; and even control emotion and personality traits. Are these ethical
applications? Would some applications be illegal in selected parts of the world?
"Novel applications such as those improving our cognitive abilities will
present society with fundamental social, cultural, and ethical issues that we
only have begun to discuss," said Kuzma. "We need more dialogue on
the many issues surrounding the nanotechnology-biology interface."
The report outlines other important issues in technology oversight. How will
new applications affect the structure of industry? Will the technology be deployed
equitably? What are the rights of consumers to be informed and make choices
about nanotechnology? What are appropriate limits of nanotechnology? The report
concludes that we need better institutions for discussing societal issues surrounding
the nanotechnology-biology interface.
For more information and to read the complete report, visit CSTPP online.
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