The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN) is deeply concerned about the
potential for abuse of nanotechnology, and also about the serious hazards of
unwise regulation.
CRN’s statement comes in response to a report by the University of Toronto
Joint Centre for Bioethics, warning that a backlash against nanotechnology
development is gathering momentum and needs to be addressed. Nanotechnology
refers to the concept of building complicated machines out of precisely
designed molecules. With devices only a few
nanometers wide, it will become
possible to build a supercomputer smaller than a grain of sand; a weapon
smaller than a mosquito; a self-contained factory that sits on a kitchen
counter.
“Dangerous misuse of advanced nanotech can come from a variety of quarters,
not only from terrorists or criminals, but also from governments,
corporations, and reckless individuals,” says Mike Treder, Executive Director
of CRN. “Damage of many kinds—economic, environmental, human rights—must be
contemplated and averted.”
“A patchwork of extremist solutions to the wide-ranging risks of advanced
nanotechnology is a grave danger,” says Chris Phoenix, CRN’s Director of
Research. All areas of society stand to be affected by molecular
manufacturing, and unless comprehensive international plans are developed, the
multiplicity of cures could be worse than the disease. The threat of harm
would almost certainly be increased, while many extraordinary benefits could
go unrealized.
Though perhaps well-motivated, calls for complete relinquishment of the
technology are no less danger-provoking, and irresponsible, than is the cry
for entirely unfettered development. “As our research continues, we become
increasingly convinced that there are no easy answers to these problems,” says
Phoenix. “Nevertheless, we have identified many areas where a
middle-of-the-road solution is demonstrably safer than either extreme.”
“We have much to gain, and much to lose,” says Treder. “The need for sober and
responsible public discussion of the implications of this new technology is
acute and urgent.” Effective conduct of such a debate will rely on good
information. CRN was formed to develop workable solutions by researching
advanced nanotechnology and its social consequences.
