| Summary: |
On November 7, 2006, Responsible NanoCode held a workshop to explore the scientific, social, and commercial issues of nanotechnology. This briefing paper was published a month prior to stimulate the workshop, and discusses three areas of uncertainty regarding nanomaterials: Technical uncertainties, which include uncertain size definitions, possible explosive effects, unknown lifecycle, and risks in general; social uncertainties, which include public perception of risks, public acceptance, benefit and harm to developing economies, and controversial innovations; and commercial uncertainties, including a lack of consensus as to regulations, uncertain consumer acceptance, proprietary research, and litigation fears. |