Third progress report - 20 January 2004

The working group is still in the process of collecting evidence. Details of the information already collected and of forthcoming activities can be found below. Further information about the study is available on the dedicated website www.nanotec.org.uk or from the secretariat. The Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering hope to publish the final report of this study in late Spring/early Summer. A public meeting to discuss the findings will follow the launch.

Publication of evidence (ongoing)
Reports of workshops and oral evidence sessions are posted on the website for comment as they become available. The written responses to the initial call for views were published on the website in January. Additional evidence will be added as it is received. Comments are welcome on any of the evidence received by the working group and should be sent to the secretariat (preferably by e-mail).

Scientists and engineers workshop (30 September 2003)
The working group used this meeting to gather evidence from the scientific community (including industry) about the current state of nanotechnology research and both current and future applications of nanotechnology. A summary report of the meeting was posted on the website in November and comments were requested from interested parties. The working group is now considering these comments.

Civil Societies workshop (30 October 2003 & 24 February 2004)
At a small workshop last October the working group consulted and discussed issues with representatives from a range of non-governmental organisations and academics with interests in civil society issues. The working group will meet with additional representatives on 24 February 2004. Reports of both of these meetings will be posted on the website.

Health and environmental impacts workshop (8 December 2003)
At this meeting the working group met with health and environment experts to consider the environmental applications of nanotechnology as well as whether nanotechnology might have a negative impact on human health or the environment.

Other oral evidence sessions (ongoing)
In addition to the various workshops, the working group have been taking evidence from experts in academia and the private sector. Reports of these evidence sessions are being published on the website as they become available.

Public consultation (December 2003 - March 2004)
The market research company BMRB International has been commissioned to carry out research into public attitudes to nanotechnology. There were two strands to this research:

• Two in-depth workshops with members of the public were held in December 2003 to explore their ideas about nanotechnology, and to identify and discuss any potential concerns or questions that might arise.

• Three questions, designed to establish public awareness of nanotechnology, were included in an Access omnibus survey in early January. The survey sought the views of 1000 adults in Great Britain aged 15+.
  

BMRB’s analysis of this research will be published on the dedicated nanotechnology website in February

All interested parties (including the public) can comment via the website on any of the information posted on the website or raise issues relating to nanotechnology in general or the about the study itself.

Workshop on regulation (11 February 2004)
The working group will meet with regulators and others with expertise in regulatory issues to discuss whether or not existing legislation is appropriate to nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Details of the First Progress report - 2 September 2003
Details of the Second Progress report - 30 September 2003