Posted on 07/12/2004 12:08:07 PM PDT by LibWhacker
The Royal Society has welcomed an article about nanotechnology by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales which has been published today (11 July 2004) in the ‘Independent on Sunday’ newspaper.
Mr Stephen Cox, Executive Secretary of the Royal Society, said: “The Prince’s article is designed to stimulate public debate about nanotechnology, which we welcome. The views The Prince expresses echo some of those received during the course of the study on nanotechnology by the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, which is due to report in the next few weeks. The study has been commissioned by the UK Government to consider the likely development of nanotechnology, and to identify any social, ethical, health and environmental issues that may arise from it. The study working group, which includes experts in environmental, ethical and consumer affairs issues, has collected evidence from a wide range of individuals and organisations The working group has held meetings with regulators, scientists, engineers, industrialists and civil society groups, and has commissioned research into public attitudes.
“Clearly The Prince has kept himself up to date with the progress of the study and we encourage people to follow his lead by looking at the submitted evidence that has been posted on the website at www.nanotec.org.uk. The Prince cites one piece of evidence that warns of the possible risks that can be associated with new technologies, and the need to address public concerns and interests. Although these general points have been made in other evidence to the working group, it is difficult to make a direct comparison with thalidomide as nanotechnology is not a new drug, but rather a set of tools and methods for working with materials at the scale of millionths of a millimetre.
“We agree with The Prince that researchers, industrialists, policy-makers, campaigners and senior public figures all share a responsibility not to exaggerate the possible impacts, either good or bad, of nanotechnology and to promote informed public debate. Few people want to see a repeat of the GM debate with the public caught in a confusing cross-fire of claim and counter-claim from polarised viewpoints.
“The newspaper report that accompanied The Prince’s article is slightly misleading. The Royal Society did not “assemble a group of senior scientists” for the private dinner about nanotechnology that took place on 17 March 2004. We responded to a request from Clarence House to suggest some scientists, engineers and social scientists who would be able to discuss nanotechnology in an informed way. Some of these individuals attended the meeting, the details of which we understood to be confidential. It is disappointing that one or more participants have now betrayed that confidentiality. The dinner did not take place as part of the study by the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering.”
http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk
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