Managing the effects of Nanotechnology (J. Clarence Davies)

Publicación de 2006 del proyecto Nanotecnologías Emergentes en la que se analizaban las opciones disponibles entonces para proporcionar una visión general de la Nanotecnología atendiendo al conjunto de regulaciones gubernamentales en los EEUU y concluía que "la Nanotecnología es difícil de tratar usando la normativa existente. Es necesaria una nueva ley para gestionar los riesgos potenciales de la Nanotecnología. Son necesarios nuevos mecanismos y capacidades institucionales.".

"Nanotechnology (NT) is the production and use of materials at the smallest possible scale—100 nanometers or less. One hundred nanometers is approximately 1/800th the width of a human hair and 1/70th the diameter of a red blood cell. Materials at the nanoscale often exhibit very different physical, chemical, and biological properties than their normal size counterparts. While we know little about possible adverse effects of nanotechnology, we know enough to recognize that there needs to be some type of governmental oversight to ensure that public health and safety are not adversely affected.This paper reviews the options currently available to provide oversight, looking at the entire suite of federal government regulations, and concludes that: Nanotechnology is difficult to address using existing regulations. A new law may be required to manage potential risks of nanotechnology. New mechanisms and institutional capabilities are needed."

Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is supported by a grant from THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS.