Nanotechnologie[en][fr] 

What is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology involves studying and working with matter on an ultra-small scale: one nanometre is one-millionth of a millimetre and a single human hair is around 80,000 nanometres in width. The technology stretches across the whole spectrum of science, touching medicine, physics, engineering and chemistry, and so is difficult to pin down to one discrete area. Nanosubstances are already included in suncreams to block ultraviolet rays, while nanoceramics are being used as bone-replacement agents. Research is expected to lead to advances in areas such as medicine, environment, manufacturing, communications and electronics.

Described as 'a new industrial revolution', nanotechnologies have the potential to produce sweeping changes to all aspects of human society. Their use might be particularly beneficial in the areas of environment, communication, health and production. Supporters of this view say that they could deliver cleaner, safer, more competitive production processes, as well as smarter, more durable and more user-friendly products. This could provide innovative answers to the triple challenge of sustainable development: how to fuel economic growth, while preserving the environment, and at the same time enhance the safety, security and quality of life of European citizens.

At the same time, critics warn of dangers such as terrorist use of weapons based on nanotechnology, or the so called 'grey goo' scenario, in which the biosphere is destroyed by out-of-control, self-replicating robots.  

Although there is no immediate evidence for such dangers, decision makers agree that in order to gain public support, there is a strong need for an informed debate about the safety of products at the nanoscale, how future advances can be monitored and controlled, and who may profit from them.

In the Communication 'Towards a European strategy for nanotechnology' , which it adopted on 12 May 2004, the Commission spells out a series of recommendations and initiatives on how to boost European nanotechnology R&D. Its main considerations are the consolidation of public and private research efforts as well as improved technology transfer to turn research findings into commercially viable products. It also addresses the need to identify and respond to concerns about safety, health and environmental risks related to nanotechnologies. 

A public consultation on the communication was organised between August and October 2004. The results of the consultation reveal a strong stakeholder consensus that nanotechnology will have a significant impact on European industry and its citizens within ten years from now (see EurActiv  12 January 2005). 

In its Communication, the Commission proposes the following key actions:

• boosting R&D investment and infrastructure;
• improving training for research personnel;
• enhancing technology transfer in Europe and increasing funding for this;
• increasing international co-operation towards a responsible approach to nanotechnology R&D globally.

With a total budget of 1.3 billion euros over the next four years, Priority 3 of the European Union's  6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6, 2002-2004) brings together nanotechnologies, materials science and manufacturing, as well as other technologies based on bio- or environmental sciences. Over 700 million euro of this will be devoted specifically to nanotechnology. 

In July 2002, the Commission launched 'Nanoforum ', a 2.7 million euro pan-European thematic network on nanotechnology aimed at strengthening the EU's economic competitiveness in this field. This information portal is led by the Institute of Nanotechnology, and provides a framework for raising awareness, supporting and encouraging the adoption of nanotechnologies and facilitating the development of new industrially-orientated nanotechnology research across Europe. Nanoforum will continue operating throughout the period of the 6th FP (2002-2006).

The public debate on nanotechnology really began to take off in 2003 with several articles and publications discussing the benefits and risks of the new technology.

In January 2003, the Canadian environmental Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC) published a report on nanotechnologies and their potential impact on society entitled 'The Big Down '. Reviewing the impact, risks and main actors in the area of nanotechnology and outlining policy recommendations, the ETC is a firm believer in the dangers of the 'grey goo scenario' and warns that "in the future, mass production of unique nanomaterials and self-replicating nano-machinery pose incalculable risks. Atomtech [nanotechnology] could also mean the creation and combination of new elements and the amplification of weapons of mass destruction". 

In February 2003, the University of Toronto published a paper called 'Mind the gap: science and ethics in nanotechnology ', pointing to the lack of research into the ethical, legal and social implications of nanotechnology. The study warns "as the science leaps ahead, the ethics lags behind. There is danger of derailing NT [nanotechnology] if the study of ethical, legal, and social implications does not catch up with the speed of scientific development". 

A report entitled '  The Social and Economic Challenges of Nanotechnology ', published in July 2003 by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) in the UK, is the result of a co-operation between three Sheffield academics in social and natural sciences, and provides an assessment of the various scenarios. It concludes that the public debate focuses on the long-term possibilities of radical nanotechnology rather than the rather mundane applications that have arrived so far, although there is as yet no conclusion as to the practical limits to nanotechnology. One immediate issue identified by the report is whether regulatory regimes are robust enough to deal with any consequences that may arise from continued research. 

Greenpeace Environmental Trust launched their report '  Future Technologies, Today's Choices ' in July 2003 with information on nanotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, putting these emerging technologies into their technical, political and institutional context. It calls on government and industry to thoroughly assess the environmental, medical and ethical challenges faced. In particular, the report demands that an in-depth analysis of environmental implications be conducted, stressing that while environmental benefits may well be achievalbe in some areas, a number of pract ices which might lead to the release of nanoparticles into the environment are a cause of major concern. These, say Greenpeace, could "constitute whole new classes of non biodegradable pollutants". 

The UK Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering in November 2003 published a report (commissioned by the UK government) entitled 'Nanotechnology: views of Scientists and Engineers ' as part of a study into the benefits and problems of nanotechnology and nanoscience. While the experts believe that nanotechnology can be used to benefit human health and the environment, a strong focus of the report is on the question of health risks and environmental dangers of nanotubes and other nanoparticles. The scientists therefore call for further studies to be carried out to assess these dangers. The report also concludes that the science fiction scenario of self-replicating 'nanorobots' transforming the world into 'grey goo' is likely to be physically impossible.