The Unknowns

Like a vast scientific frontier, nanotechnology holds promise to greatly improve the quality of life, but with any frontier there are some unknowns. The possible societal implications of nanotechnology have never been an afterthought. When the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was launched in 2000, the program included funding for research on the possible societal and ethical impacts of nanotechnology. Most of the nanotechnology research efforts across the world include research on societal and ethical issues. In the summer of 2005, the National Science Foundation will establish the first Center for Nanotechnology in Society. Through a network of social scientists, economists, and nanotechnology researchers, this new center will address social, ethical, environmental, and educational issues of nanoscience and nanotechnology.