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Studies of Molecular Manufacturing:
Societal Implications, Risks, Benefits, Policy Proposals

"Everyone stands to be affected by nanotechnology developments and related policies. These effects—including dangers—may be unrelated to the work your organization is doing, but still may impact you profoundly."
    — Mike Treder, CRN Executive Director

No commercial or governmental organization has taken action to begin studying molecular manufacturing. A few organizations, including the U.S. National Science Foundation and the British Royal Society, are making noises about global policy implications of nanotechnology, but are nonetheless engaged in ignoring or denying molecular manufacturing. To fill the vacuum, this site will serve as a gathering place for molecular manufacturing study efforts of government, corporate, academic, and civil society organizations.

"Studies are urgently needed in politics, economics, law, and sociology, as well as technical areas such as chemistry, physics, and product design. Molecular manufacturing will be very powerful, but no one really knows yet what that will mean."
    — Chris Phoenix, Director of Research, CRN

The purpose of CRN is to investigate the responsible use of molecular manufacturing, and to educate those who will influence its use or be affected by it. In order to provide well-grounded and complete information, clear explanation, and workable proposals, CRN studies, clarifies, and researches all the issues involved—economic, military, geopolitical, environmental, humanitarian, and technological—then presents the results for both technical and popular audiences.

To cover the full spectrum of issues raised by advanced nanotechnology is more than one organization can accomplish. Moreover, almost everyone stands to be affected by technological developments and related policies. These effects—including dangers—may be unrelated to the work your organization is doing, but still may impact you profoundly. That's why CRN encourages everyone to begin studying and discussing these issues. To maximize the usefulness of individual study efforts, we are offering to coordinate a cooperative affiliation of studies from all sources.

Research that CRN has recommended:  See Thirty Essential Studies.

Work that is already underway:  See CRN's Results of Current Research, including a general analysis of Risks and Benefits. Also see CRN-coordinated Student Research projects.

For more information:  Write to studies@crnano.org or visit our Contact page.
 

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