UK puts nanotechnology under microscope
The UK government has launched an independent study to examine the benefits and risks of nanotechnology.
Science minister Lord Sainsbury has commissioned the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering to conduct the work. The aim of the study is to summarise the current scientific knowledge, identify applications, consider environmental, health and safety, ethical and social implications, and suggest areas where additional regulation should be considered. Both current and potential applications with indications of when they might be developed will be covered. Ann Dowling, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Cambridge University, will chair the study. A working group will be appointed shortly to reflect the wide range of disciplines needed to consider the questions posed. The final report of the study will be put into the public domain and be available on the Royal Society website. The study has been commissioned as part of the Government's response to recommendations from the Better Regulation Task Force report "Scientific Research: Innovation with Controls" which was published in January this year.