Extramural Research
Presentation Abstract
Grantee Research Project Results
Title of Talk:
Societal Implications of Nanotechnology: Benefits and Costs
Abstract of Talk:
As each new technology emerges, there are implications which often are
unforeseen. Surprises tend to be at least 50% negative. Using tools such
as “Total Benefit and Cost Assessment” provide mechanisms
for identifying and examining the surprises in advance. This paper will
report the work done by Practical Sustainability, LLC and BRIDGES to SustainabilityTM
to identify and prioritize the issues surrounding the realm of nano-technology.
The excitement, in particular the interest by the US federal government
provides incentives for accelerating the growth of the field. Researchers
actively involved in the field, have no reason raise red-flags and yet
the earlier those flags are raised, the more thoroughly they can be explored.
The odds of problems can reduced, the magnitude of problems can be reduced
and the benefits of new technology can be maximized.