The crowd at the Greenpeace/New Scientist debate
Political and public conflict over technological developments like genetically modified organisms highlighted how different sectors of society can take radically different views over scientific 'progress'. Clearly some of the issues important to the public were not asked in the development of GM crops.
With that furore still fresh in people's minds, Greenpeace has joined with the Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration on Nanotechnology at Cambridge University, The Guardian newspaper and the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Research Centre of the University of Newcastle, to run a citizens' jury on nanotechnologies. We hope giving an opportunity for non-specialist members of the public to raise issues and give opinions after being given a balanced presentation of evidence and opinions will stimulate action and reflection amongst those developing nanotechnologies now.
Nanotechnology is predicted to generate sales of $1 trillion by 2012, and will impact on every sphere of our lives from healthcare, computers, consumer gadgets, energy and defence to food. In fact, anything which uses materials will potentially be affected by the technology and countries around the world are racing to get an early advantage. However, the priorities and emphasis of the uses to which nanotechnology may be put has been little discussed in the public domain. These are highly political questions, but ones from which elected national governments and political parties have traditionally kept away.
Greenpeace believes that there may be some advantages in developments in some nanotechnologies. However, we are concerned that any value could be lost if the development processes governing nanotechnology does not prioritise environmental, public health and social goals, and is not sensitive to the needs and concerns of the public at an early stage. Indeed some nanotechnologies could become a real problem. At this stage it is too early to say what the specific problems or advantages might be - but the way nanotechnology develops will have a huge influence on whether the outcomes are good or bad.
We want to provide an opportunity for an intelligent, informed public voice in the discussion about how nanotechnology should be researched and developed. At this stage we hope it can still make a difference.
More about this citizens' jury on nanotechnologies
More on other citizens' juries
