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.
