Center For Responsible Nanotechnology Engages Leading Experts To Discuss Nanotec

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Center For Responsible Nanotechnology Engages Leading Experts To

Discuss Nanotech's Impact

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=40335

The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN) today announced its

first series of new research papers in which industry experts predict

profound impacts of nanotechnology on society. Eleven original essays

by members of CRN's Global Task Force appear in the latest issue of

the journal Nanotechnology Perceptions, published today. From

military and security issues to human enhancement, artificial

intelligence, and more, these papers give readers a peek under the

lid of Pandora's box to see what the future might hold.

Ray Kurzweil, renowned inventor, entrepreneur, and best-selling

author, explained, " As the pace of technological advancement rapidly

accelerates, it becomes increasingly important to promote

knowledgeable and insightful discussion of both promise and peril.

I'm very pleased to take part in this effort by including my own

essay, and by hosting discussion of these essays on the 'MindX'

discussion board at KurzweilAI.net. "

Nanotechnology Perceptions is a peer-reviewed academic journal of the

Collegium Basilea in Basel, Switzerland. " We jumped at the chance to

publish the CRN Task Force essays, " said Ramsden, editor-in-

chief of the journal. " To us, these papers represent world-class

thinking about some of the most important challenges that human

society will ever face. "

In August 2005, the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, a non-

profit research and advocacy organization, formed its Global Task

Force to study the societal implications of molecular manufacturing,

an advanced form of nanotechnology. Bringing together a diverse group

of world-class experts from multiple disciplines, CRN is spearheading

an historic, collaborative effort to develop comprehensive

recommendations for the safe and responsible use of this rapidly

emerging technology.

" Our plan from the beginning was to concentrate first on defining the

challenges posed by nanotechnology, " said Mike Treder, executive

director of CRN. " What risks do we really face? How do they relate to

each other? What is most important to know in order to cope wisely

and effectively with molecular manufacturing? "

Like electricity or computers before it, nanotechnology will bring

greatly improved efficiency and productivity in many areas of human

endeavor. In its mature form, known as molecular manufacturing, it

will have significant impact on almost all industries and all parts

of society. Personal nanofactories may offer better built, longer

lasting, cleaner, safer, and smarter products for the home, for

communications, for medicine, for transportation, for agriculture,

and for industry in general.

However, as a general-purpose technology, molecular manufacturing

will be dual-use, meaning that in addition to its civilian

applications, it will have military uses as well--making far more

powerful weapons and tools of surveillance. Thus, it represents not

only wonderful benefits for humanity, but also grave risks.

" Progress toward developing the technical requirements for desktop

molecular manufacturing is advancing rapidly, " said Phoenix,

CRN's director of research. " These new essays examine many of the

radical changes that molecular manufacturing will bring to society.

We hope our readers will decide to get involved in the vital work of

raising awareness and finding effective solutions to the challenges

presented to the world by advanced nanotechnology. "

The CRN Task Force essays also will be posted online at

KurzweilAI.net and Wise-Nano.org. A second collection of essays

exploring additional concerns will form the next issue of

Nanotechnology Perceptions. Both series are available for publishing

or reprint under Gnu Free Documentation License (GFDL). The first

group of essays are:

1. " Nanotechnology Dangers and Defenses " - Ray Kurzweil

2. " Molecular Manufacturing: Too Dangerous to Allow? " - A.

Freitas Jr.*

3. " Nano-Guns, Nano-Germs, and Nano-Steel " - Mike Treder

4. " Molecular Manufacturing and 21st Century Policing " - Tom Cowper

5. " The Need For Limits " - Phoenix

6. " Globalization and Open Source Nano Economy " - Giulio Prisco

7. " Cultural Dominants and Differential MNT Uptake " - Damien

Broderick

8. " Nanoethics and Human Enhancement " - Lin & Fritz Allhoff

9. " Strategic Sustainable Brain " - Natasha Vita-More

10. " Is AI Near a Takeoff Point? " - J. Storrs Hall

11. " Singularities and Nightmares: The Range of Our Futures " -

Brin

* This essay is © A. Freitas Jr., and is not released under

GFDL.

About the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology

The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, a non-profit think tank

concerned with the major societal and environmental implications of

advanced nanotechnology, is headquartered in New York. CRN is an

affiliate of World Care, an international, non-profit, 501©(3)

organization. The opinions expressed in the essays described in this

press release are those of the individual authors and do not

necessarily represent the opinions of the Center for Responsible

Nanotechnology, nor of its parent organization, World Care.