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WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- A former science adviser to U.S. President Bill Clinton warned that nanotechnology's revolutionary potential is in danger of not being realized.
Neal Lane said nanoscale science promises to revolutionize all other technologies but that outcome is not guaranteed.
He notes a recent poll showed 69 percent of U.S. residents asked have heard little or nothing about nanotechnology. "In my view, given what's at stake, this situation is unacceptable," said Lane.
He said he fears a major environmental, medical or safety problem -- real or bogus -- with a product or application that's labeled "nanotechnology" might dampen public confidence and financial investment in nanotechnology's future, and result in unwise regulation. "We should not let this happen," he said.
Lane urges government, corporations and the science and engineering community to take three steps:
-- Make a major effort to set aside resources necessary to investigate nanotechnology's possible environmental, health, and safety risks.
-- Infuse nanotechnology education into the curriculum of every school and teacher education program.
-- Provide the public with balanced and easily understood information about nanotechnology's potential benefits and its possible risks.
Lane's views are detailed in the current issue of the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
Story
Neal Lane said nanoscale science promises to revolutionize all other technologies but that outcome is not guaranteed.
He notes a recent poll showed 69 percent of U.S. residents asked have heard little or nothing about nanotechnology. "In my view, given what's at stake, this situation is unacceptable," said Lane.
He said he fears a major environmental, medical or safety problem -- real or bogus -- with a product or application that's labeled "nanotechnology" might dampen public confidence and financial investment in nanotechnology's future, and result in unwise regulation. "We should not let this happen," he said.
Lane urges government, corporations and the science and engineering community to take three steps:
-- Make a major effort to set aside resources necessary to investigate nanotechnology's possible environmental, health, and safety risks.
-- Infuse nanotechnology education into the curriculum of every school and teacher education program.
-- Provide the public with balanced and easily understood information about nanotechnology's potential benefits and its possible risks.
Lane's views are detailed in the current issue of the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
Story
