Maynard, Andrew D.; Bowman, Diana M.; Hodge, Graeme A. --- "Conclusions: Triggers, Gaps, Risks and Trust" [2010] ELECD 734; in Hodge, A. Graeme; Bowman, M. Diana; Maynard, D. Andrew (eds), "International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010)

Book Title: International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies

Editor(s): Hodge, A. Graeme; Bowman, M. Diana; Maynard, D. Andrew

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781848446731

Section: Chapter 26

Section Title: Conclusions: Triggers, Gaps, Risks and Trust

Author(s): Maynard, Andrew D.; Bowman, Diana M.; Hodge, Graeme A.

Number of pages: 14

Extract:

26 Conclusions: triggers, gaps, risks and
trust
Andrew D. Maynard, Diana M. Bowman and
Graeme A. Hodge


26.1 INTRODUCTION

Nanotechnologies are something of an enigma. On the one hand, it is hard
to deny that the idea of working with matter at the nanoscale has stimu-
lated significant new cross-cutting research and technology innovation.
On the other hand, the essence of this emerging technology ­ that which
determines its identity ­ becomes strangely elusive when specific questions
on impact, harm and regulation are asked. Yet despite this, the debate
over understanding and managing the potential health and environmental
impacts of nanotechnologies has become an integral part of the technol-
ogy's development ­ so much so that this Handbook addresses a very real
desire for greater information and clarity on regulating nanotechnologies
among stakeholders.
Questions over the regulatory path for nanotechnologies are con-
founded by different framesets within which challenges and options are
discussed, varying interpretations of what `nanotechnology' means, and
confusion over the underlying science and its implications to risk and
risk management (as discussed by, for example, Nordmann (Chapter 2),
Williams (Chapter 6) and Chaudhry, Bouwmeester and Hertel (Chapter
7). The result has been the nanotech equivalent of the Tower of Babel ­
a lot of talk, but little constructive dialogue. This is at the heart of our
`wicked' public policy problem outlined in the Introduction ­ a problem
that many stakeholders are interested in, but which remains complex,
ill-defined, highly contested or perhaps even imaginary.
Clearly, if progress is ...