Nanotechnology safety monitored

A new report from the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars calls for a new approach to nanotechnology oversight. The report comes from one of the country’s foremost authorities on environmental research and policy, which examines the strengths and weaknesses of the current regulatory framework for nanotechnology. Considering the implications nanotechnology has for cancer treatment in the future, it is interesting to see how this group is trying to protect people from harm while looking for the benefits for medical treatment.

According to the Project, nanotechnology holds tremendous potential – for improvements in health care, the production of clean water and energy, and continued advances in our IT infrastructure,” says William K. Reilly, former EPA Administrator, commenting on the report. “But nanotechnology can only flourish if industry and government are committed to identifying and managing the possible risks to workers, consumers, and the environment. Davies’ analysis of the federal regulatory system and recommendations should spark a necessary dialogue among business, government and citizen groups about how to move forward as nanotechnology develops.”