Request for comments on nanotechnology report by December 5th 2003

I am writing to you on behalf of the Royal Society/Royal Academy of
Engineering working group on nanotechnology to ask for your comments
on a report on nanoscience and nanotechnology produced following a
meeting of scientists and engineers at the Royal Society on 30th
September 2003.
( http://www.nanotec.org.uk/workshopOct03.htm ) Information on how to
respond can be found on the website.

The working group welcomes comments on this report by December 5th
2003. In particular, we would welcome comments on whether this report
is an accurate representation of the current state and expected
applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology, and the health, safety
and environmental benefits and risks of nanotechnology.

On behalf of the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, I
would like to thank you for your participation. Additionally, If you
are aware of other groups, colleagues or organisations who you feel
would like to contribute with comments on the report, we would be
grateful if you would forward this message on.

The workshop forms part of a independent study on nanotechnology
commissioned by the UK Government, and carried out by the Royal
Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The aims of the study are to:

1. define what is meant by nanoscience and nanotechnology;
2. summarise the current scientific knowledge on nanotechnology;
3. identify applications of nanotechnology, both currently and
potentially, with indications of when they might be developed;
4. consider environmental, health and safety, ethical and social
implications of the technology, both now and in the future;
5. suggest areas where additional regulation should be considered.

At the end of our study, likely to be in late spring 2004, we will
publish a report outlining our findings.

Kind regards

Andrew Dunn.


Dr Andrew Dunn 
Manager 
Study on Nanotechnology
Royal Society/Royal Academy of Engineering

web http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk

Nanotechnology study website:
http://www.nanotec.org.uk/index.htm

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