Effccts
of nano technology
At a January 11 session, The Project on
Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for
Scholars released a report by one of the country’s foremost authorities
on environmental research and policy, which examines the strengths and
weaknesses of the current regulatory framework for nanotechnology and
calls for a new approach to nanotechnology oversight.
Managing the Effects of Nanotechnology, authored by J.
Clarence (Terry) Davies, former assistant administrator of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the George H.W. Bush
Administration, argues that better and more aggressive oversight and new
resources are needed to manage the potential adverse effects of
nanotechnology and promote its continued development.
“It is the right time to come up with the right regulatory framework for
nanotechnology—a framework that encourages initiative and innovation,
while also protecting the public and the environment,” Davies said.
“The ideas presented in this report challenge business and government to
work together to nurture and encourage nanotechnology and to anticipate
and address its adverse effects.”
“Nanotechnology holds tremendous potential—for improvements in health
care, the production of clean water and energy, and continued advances in
our IT infrastructure,” said William K. Reilly, former EPA
Administrator, commenting on the report. “But nanotechnology can only
flourish if industry and government are committed to identifying and
managing the possible risks to workers, consumers, and the environment.
Davies’ analysis of the federal regulatory system and recommendations
should spark a necessary dialogue—among business, government and citizen
groups—about how to move forward as nanotechnology develops.”
“Reaching consensus on nanotechnology regulation that encourages
economic innovation and environmental stewardship will not be easy,”
Davies acknowledges, “but it is a challenge that we cannot ignore.”
Dr. Davies argues that some current regulatory approaches may work for
nanotechnology applications. “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
the authority it needs to review and regulate nanotechnology applications
in the areas of drugs and biomedical devices,” Davies said. “But most
of the existing applicable programs are seriously flawed, lack resources,
and require new thinking and funding.”
The report analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of existing laws that
apply to nanotechnology and outlines provisions that a new law might
contain.
“Nanotechnology is still in its infancy, presenting a clear opportunity
for us to ‘get it right’ from the start,” said David Rejeski,
director of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. This project is an
initiative of the Wilson Center and The Pew Charitable Trusts.
“As we continue to learn the value and benefits that nanotechnology
presents,” noted Rejeski, “it will be important for us to gain the
commitment from industry and government to successfully position
nanotechnology as the next big economic driver. If nanotechnology is to
succeed, there needs to be a dialogue around the proactive approach Davies
suggests. Government, business and citizen groups need to exchange views
and discuss options to assure the American public that as nanotechnology
matures, any adverse health and environmental effects will be identified
and prevented or controlled.”
“There also needs to be more in-depth public policy analysis that is
informed by an understanding of the risks posed by nanotechnologies and
how products are moving from laboratories to factories, and into the
marketplace. The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is committed to
helping facilitate the necessary dialogue around nanotechnology and to
providing sound policy choices,” according to Rejeski.
The market opportunity for nanotechnology is substantial. The National
Science Foundation predicts that the global marketplace for goods and
services using nanotechnologies will grow to $1 trillion by 2015. The U.S.
invests approximately $3 billion annually in nanotechnology research and
development, which accounts for approximately one-third of the total
public and private sector investments worldwide.
Nanotechnology is the ability to measure, see, manipulate and manufacture
things usually between 1 and 100 nanometers. A nanometer is one billionth
of a meter; a human hair is roughly 100,000 nanometers wide.
“Dr. Davies has offered all who are interested in the benefits and risks
of nanotechnology good, thoughtful questions to ponder and a series of
options to consider,” said Jim O’Hara, director of policy initiatives
and the Health and Human Services program at The Pew Charitable Trusts.
“Such options and ensuing policy dialogue are essential to ensure that
society manages the potential adverse effects of nanotechnology and reaps
its tremendous benefits.”
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J. Clarence (Terry) Davies is a senior advisor at the Project on Emerging
Nanotechnologies and senior research fellow at Resources for the Future.
He is considered one of the foremost authorities on environmental research
and policy. He co-authored the plan that created the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and later served as the EPA’s assistant
administrator for Policy, Planning and Evaluation. As a senior staff
member of the Council on Environmental Quality, Davies authored the
original version of what became the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is an initiative launched by the
Wilson Center and The Pew Charitable Trusts in 2005. It is dedicated to
helping business, government and the public anticipate and manage possible
health and environmental implications of nanotechnology.
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