Nanoscience: opportunities & uncertainties

nanoscience-opportunities-uncertainties.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Nanoscience and nanotechnologies are widely seen as
having huge potential to bring benefits to many areas of
research and application, and are attracting rapidly
increasing investments from Governments and from
businesses in many parts of the world. At the same time,
it is recognised that their application may raise new
challenges in the safety, regulatory or ethical domains
that will require societal debate. In June 2003 the UK
Government therefore commissioned the Royal Society
and the Royal Academy of Engineering to carry out this
independent study into current and future developments
in nanoscience and nanotechnologies and their impacts.
The remit of the study was to:

· define what is meant by nanoscience and nanotechnologies

· summarise the current state of scientific knowledge about nanotechnologies

· identify the specific applications of the new technologies, in particular where nanotechnologies are already in use

· carry out a forward look to see how the technologies might be used in future, where possible estimating the likely timescales in which the most far-reaching applications of the technologies might become reality

· identify what health and safety, environmental, ethical and societal implications or uncertainties may arise from the use of the technologies, both current and future

· entify areas where additional regulation needs to be considered.