What is nanotechnology? Will it bring exciting opportunities or should you be concerned? And what should the government be doing about it? A public debate on nanotechnology, the much hyped emerging science of the extremely small is being run tonight (29 September) by the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The debate, which will take place at the Royal Society - the UK academy of science - will focus on which issues the Government should take forward as a priority in light of a report on nanotechnologies published by the two academies in July.

The event’s panel will be chaired by broadcaster Nick Ross and will include: Professor Ann Dowling, chair of the study’s working group; Dame Deirdre Hutton, Chair of the National Consumer Council and member of the study’s working group; Dr Doug Parr, Greenpeace’s Chief Scientist; and Ian Pearson, a BT Futurologist. Each will set out their main concerns and which areas they think the Government should focus on. Sir David King, the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, will attend the debate.

Professor Ann Dowling said: \"Nanotechnologies clearly offer great potential and may lead to, for example, cheaper and more efficient ways of purifying water and generating solar energy and even artificial implants that help the blind see and the deaf hear.

\"Our report found that most nanotechnologies pose no new risks but did highlight uncertainties about the potential effects on human health and the environment of manufactured ’nanoparticles’ and ’nanotubes’ - ultra small pieces of material - if they are released. For this reason it is important that they be treated as new chemicals under UK and European legislation in order to trigger appropriate safety tests and clear labelling. In addition we should minimise the exposure of people and the environment to nanoparticles until their effects are better understood.\"

Ian Pearson, who tracks technology developments across the whole field of information technology to develop future scenarios for the telecommunications company, said: \"As well as taking appropriate temporary precautions, the best response to a lack of knowledge is to take steps to gain that knowledge. The Government should particularly heed the report’s recommendation to set up a research centre on the potential effects of nanoparticles on humans and the environment.

\"While this report is an important first step in looking at potential near future effects, it’s vital that we also begin to consider longer term effects. These might result from, for example, the interaction of nanotechnology with other fields such as computing and biotechnology, and might advance fields such as bionic implants, nervous system links and intelligence enhancement. Although these issues are further in the future, their importance means that it is not too early to begin the social debate.\"

Dame Deirdre Hutton, Chair of the National Consumer Council and member of the nanotechnology working group, said: \"Science is ’speeding up’, with advances being made at an incredible pace and inevitably bringing both potential risks and benefits. New technologies can only be used effectively in society if people feel comfortable with the general direction of scientific developments. To ensure this is the case with nanotechnology, the Government should fund a public debate now while this science is in its infancy at a stage when public views can shape key decisions about its development.\"

Dr Doug Parr, Greenpeace Chief Scientist said: \"Greenpeace welcomes the report which acknowledges the possible advantages of nanotechnology use and advocates precautionary action in the face of the nanoparticle risks. The priorities for Government are to ensure proper regulation of nanoparticle hazards, and to start innovating on the much bigger challenge of effective governance of nanotech so that it is used for environmental and social good, not for polluting play-things for the rich.\"

The debate will take place at 6.30pm on Wednesday, 29 September at the Royal Society, 7 Carlton House Terrace. Entrance is free and seats are allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

For further information contact:
Tim Watson or Bob Ward
Press and Public Relations
The Royal Society, London
Tel: 020 7451 2514/2516
email: press@royalsoc.ac.uk
http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk