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Science Forum Index » Nanotechnology Forum » CRN Releases Technical Commentary on Greenpeace Nanotech Rep
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| Mike Treder |
 Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 7:16 pm |
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NEW YORK The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology has prepared a
10-page document that augments the recent Greenpeace report, "Future
Technologies, Today's Choices", which addresses the risks and benefits
of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence. CRN's commentary can be
viewed at http://CRNano.org/Greenpeace.htm.
"The Greenpeace report is a welcome and much-needed contribution to
serious discussion of nanotechnology's promise and potential
problems," said Mike Treder, Executive Director of CRN. "We are
especially pleased with their moderate and balanced approach. There is
more, however, that needs to be said on the topic."
Chris Phoenix, CRN's Director of Research, said, "Because the
Greenpeace report deals with two very complex topics, nanotechnology
and AI, they could devote only a few pages to molecular manufacturing.
Our commentary is intended to supplement their report and to clarify
some important issues."
The document prepared by CRN provides greater detail on the current
state of research in molecular nanotechnology (MNT), and discusses
possible near-term developments in limited molecular nanotechnology
(LMNT).
Eric Drexler, chairman of the Foresight Institute and an advisor to
CRN, said, "Molecular manufacturing can have large consequences even
in early versions with relatively narrow abilities. This contribution
from CRN makes it clear that LMNT is an important and accessible
objective."
CRN's technical commentary includes an analysis of the requirements
for developing LMNT. "The barriers to rapid development are mainly
those of policy, not technology," said Phoenix. "There is no known
scientific objection to LMNT, and the technical problems are rapidly
being broken down into manageable sub-problems."
CRN believes that LMNT, while much easier to achieve than full MNT,
may have nearly equivalent appeal and impact. A targeted rapid
development program may be launched for any of a variety of reasons in
the near future. "Recent advances in LMNT research should underscore
to policy makers the urgent need for discussion of possible
consequences, both positive and negative," said Treder.
The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology is headquartered in New
York. CRN is an affiliate of World Care, an international, non-profit,
501(c)(3) organization. For more information on CRN, see
http://www.crnano.org/. |
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