New Nanotechnology Analysis: Tiny Tech Brings Huge Changes


- Center for Responsible Nanotechnology engages leading experts to
discuss nanotech's impact -

NEW YORK, NY - March 27, 2006 - The Center for Responsible
Nanotechnology (CRN) today announced its first series of new research
papers in which industry experts predict profound impacts of
nanotechnology on society. Eleven original essays by members of CRN's
Global Task Force appear in the latest issue of the journal
Nanotechnology Perceptions, published today. From military and security
issues to human enhancement, artificial intelligence, and more, these
papers give readers a peek under the lid of Pandora's box to see what
the future might hold.

Ray Kurzweil, renowned inventor, entrepreneur, and best-selling author,
explained, "As the pace of technological advancement rapidly
accelerates, it becomes increasingly important to promote knowledgeable
and insightful discussion of both promise and peril. I'm very pleased
to take part in this effort by including my own essay, and by hosting
discussion of these essays on the 'MindX' discussion board at
KurzweilAI.net."

Nanotechnology Perceptions is a peer-reviewed academic journal of the
Collegium Basilea in Basel, Switzerland. "We jumped at the chance to
publish the CRN Task Force essays," said Jeremy Ramsden,
editor-in-chief of the journal. "To us, these papers represent
world-class thinking about some of the most important challenges that
human society will ever face."

In August 2005, the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, a non-profit
research and advocacy organization, formed its Global Task Force to
study the societal implications of molecular manufacturing, an advanced
form of nanotechnology. Bringing together a diverse group of
world-class experts from multiple disciplines, CRN is spearheading an
historic, collaborative effort to develop comprehensive recommendations
for the safe and responsible use of this rapidly emerging technology.

"Our plan from the beginning was to concentrate first on defining the
challenges posed by nanotechnology," said Mike Treder, executive
director of CRN. "What risks do we really face? How do they relate to
each other? What is most important to know in order to cope wisely and
effectively with molecular manufacturing?"

Like electricity or computers before it, nanotechnology will bring
greatly improved efficiency and productivity in many areas of human
endeavor. In its mature form, known as molecular manufacturing, it will
have significant impact on almost all industries and all parts of
society. Personal nanofactories may offer better built, longer lasting,
cleaner, safer, and smarter products for the home, for
communications, for medicine, for transportation, for agriculture, and
for industry in general.

However, as a general-purpose technology, molecular manufacturing will
be dual-use, meaning that in addition to its civilian applications, it
will have military uses as well-making far more powerful weapons and
tools of surveillance. Thus, it represents not only wonderful benefits
for humanity, but also grave risks.

"Progress toward developing the technical requirements for desktop
molecular manufacturing is advancing rapidly," said Chris Phoenix,
CRN's director of research. "These new essays examine many of the
radical changes that molecular manufacturing will bring to society. We
hope our readers will decide to get involved in the vital work of
raising awareness and finding effective solutions to the challenges
presented to the world by advanced nanotechnology."

The CRN Task Force essays also will be posted online at KurzweilAI.net
and Wise-Nano.org. A second collection of essays exploring additional
concerns will form the next issue of Nanotechnology Perceptions. Both
series are available for publishing or reprint under Gnu Free
Documentation License (GFDL). The first group of essays are:

1. "Nanotechnology Dangers and Defenses" - Ray Kurzweil

2. "Molecular Manufacturing: Too Dangerous to Allow?" - Robert A.
Freitas Jr.*

3. "Nano-Guns, Nano-Germs, and Nano-Steel" - Mike Treder

4. "Molecular Manufacturing and 21st Century Policing" - Tom Cowper

5. "The Need For Limits" - Chris Phoenix

6. "Globalization and Open Source Nano Economy" - Giulio Prisco

7. "Cultural Dominants and Differential MNT Uptake" - Damien Broderick

8. "Nanoethics and Human Enhancement" - Patrick Lin & Fritz Allhoff

9. "Strategic Sustainable Brain" - Natasha Vita-More

10. "Is AI Near a Takeoff Point?" - J. Storrs Hall

11. "Singularities and Nightmares: The Range of Our Futures" - David
Brin

* This essay is (c) Robert A. Freitas Jr., and is not released
under GFDL.


LINKS:
Press Release - http://crnano.org/PR-essays.1.htm
List of Essays - http://crnano.org/CTF-Essays.htm
CRN Task Force Members - http://crnano.org/CTF.htm


About the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology

The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (http://CRNano.org), a
non-profit think tank concerned with the major societal and
environmental implications of advanced nanotechnology, is headquartered
in New York. CRN is an affiliate of World Care, an international,
non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. The opinions expressed in the
essays described in this press release are those of the individual
authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Center for
Responsible Nanotechnology, nor of its parent organization, World Care.


.

Relevant Pages
Quantcast