About the study
What did the study look at?
We supplied the Government with an independent, authoritative,
representative, and above all fact-based report on nanotechnology
and the health and safety, environmental, ethical and
social issues that might stem from it. Our final report
assesses how this emerging field should be regulated
as it develops.
The aims of the Royal Society and Royal Academy of
Engineering study were to;
-
define what is meant by nanoscience and nanotechnology;
- summarise the current state of scientific knowledge
about nanotechnology;
- identify the specific applications of the new technologies,
in particular where nanotechnology is already in use;
- carry out a forward look to see how the technology
might be used in future, where possible estimating
the likely time scales in which the most far-reaching
applications of the technology might become reality;
- identify what environmental, health and safety,
ethical or societal implications or uncertainties
may arise from the use of the technology, both current
and future;
- identify areas where regulation needs to be considered.
At the launch of the study we issued an initial call
for views (which is now closed). Responses
from stakeholders were used to further define the
terms of reference, shape and inform the study.
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