The concept of Safe Development

• A technology’s promise for economic development cannot depend on it being without risk because all technologies have risk

• Risks can only be reduced by facing and addressing them

• Development of risky technology is aided by the recognition of risk

Application to Nano

• The typical treatment of nano technology has been to either emphasize or deemphasize its risks – these strategies lead to inaccurate risk assessments.

• We are having a debate about how to apply the precautionary principle – people are either overly afraid of nano or they are overly afraid of what a precautionary approach would mean.

What we learned from our conference

• All sides can recognize a common interest in an accurate and objective assessment of risk and rapid development and application of effective risk reduction practices

The false choice• 1. Nanotechnology does present some

new risks that must be accurately assessed

• 2. Nanotechnology does present some new opportunities that might be extremely valuable in both environmental and economic terms

• The first phase of our public discussion has gotten stuck in whether we should focus on either prop. 1 or prop. 2

PROPOSAL

• Let’s get UNSTUCK and accept both proposition 1 AND 2. We do not have to choose between them.

• Let’s AGREE that recognizing risk and taking action to reduce it is something that does not hinder but aids the development of nanotechnology.

Results of Accepting this Proposal

• Getting beyond the resistance to a precautionary approach will encourage the development of safe versions of nano products and practices.

• The likelihood that unchecked development will create harms that will cause a backlash against all nanotechnology will be diminished.

Restating the basic idea

• Precautionary policies, applied appropriately, aid the development of desirable new technology.

• Failing to effectively address risks raises the probability of frightening consequences that will then hinder the development of new, needed technology.

• ADVOCATES OF NANO SHOULD FOCUS ON THE RISKS OF NANO IN ORDER TO REDUCE THEM.

http://www.internano.org/mailman/listinfo/safe-and-green-

nanoAbout Safe-and-Green-Nano

Safe Development of Nanomanufacturing

The Safe and Green Nano Listserve is an open-source online information clearinghouse for anyone interested in the safe development of nanomanufacturing and the

potential for greener products through nanoscience. Anyone may post information or queries related to these two topics, on any relevant facet, including

policy, law, history, business, technology, research, or opinion. This listserve is provided for the posting of

relevant items that are contributions to a constructive public discussion.

To see the collection of prior postings to the list, visit the Safe-and-Green-Nano Archives.

Rick ReibsteinSenior Environmental AnalystMA Office of Technical Assistance617 626 1062rick.reibstein@state.ma.us

My comments are my own and do not represent the official policy of the state