NGOs enter debate on nanotechnology and society

[nanoorg]

03 July 2006, Rathenau Institute


NGOs enter debate on nanotechnology and society


More and more environmental and other civil society groups are issuing statements and organising events on the implications of nanotechnology for society.

The Australian section of Friends of the Earth has published a special issue of its magazine Chain Reaction 97 on "Size Does Matter. Nanotechnology: Big Questions about Small Science". The magazine includes articles on implications of nanotechnology for democracy, the military, the environment, food and agriculture, health, global trade and medicine.


In the Netherlands, the Platform Health and Environment is organising a conference on nanotechnology and risks for health and the environment. This platform brings together 15 organisations.


Last month, a coalition of eight NGO's has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration FDA in the USA to recall nanocosmetics and require health and safety tests before market entry.


From September 2006, the University of Amsterdam IVAM institute will lead the EU project NANOCAP to strengthen the contributions of trade unions and environmental groups to the debate on nanotechnology.