Workshop at the Research Centre Karlsruhe, December 8, 2004

[Workshop Venue]    [Registration]    [Programme]

Introduction

Even though the most concepts summarized under the word Nanotechnology are research projects rather than technology, a debate has started about the risks which are linked with the development of Nanotechnology. At the moment, this debate may be limited to experts in science as well as selected media, politics and NGOs are involved only to a limited extent, but the outcome of this debate could be crucial for the further development of this emerging field of technologies. Up to now it is open if this debate will follow the path of the debate about other 'risk technologies' like GMO or nuclear power. There exists already a call for a moratorium for further development of Nanotechnology. Therefore, this debate could be an interesting example for studying what are the drivers, the actors, what are their motives and what is the overall dynamic of a debate about a new technology at its early beginning.

Special Challenges for risk assessment concerning Nanotechnology

There are some peculiarities of Nanotechnology which make the risk assessment challenging. The first aspect is the diversity of Nanotechnology. Because Nanotechnology is mainly defined in terms of size, a huge variety of different techniques, research topics, methods of creating or structuring materials, and manipulating surfaces are summarized under the term of Nanotechnology. Very often, the proponents have quite different things in mind when they are talking about Nanotechnology.

This diversity extends also in the time dimension. The stage of development of what is called Nanotechnology could be quite different. Some products and techniques are on the market - other concepts are considered as rather visionary or as plain fantasy.

A third aspect of Nanotechnology is the fact that NT is predominantly an enabling technology. This means that NT-based components or processes are usually only a part of a bigger technical system. They may give the final product the crucial functionality but their role is usually not easily identifiable or simply not recognised. So, there will be many very different products for very different purposes containing the same NT. For every context of use NT has to be assessed separately.

The fourth aspect of Nanotechnology is that for several reasons there is a enormous hype about this research field. Huge promises and expectations are presented on the one hand side, extremely dystopian visions exist on the other side.

The debate about challenges and risks is centered around more than one theme:

• Risks of visions or fictional scenarios, created or amplified by the popular culture and media
• Risks of new material properties occurring at the nanoscale - triggered by but not limited to the debate about health risks of ultrafines and nanoparticles
• Risks of new opportunities to improve or to expand human physical and mental capabilities (as a potential consequence of a success of NBIC-related R&D)
• On a different level but no less important: Risks of wrong or misguided communication or implementation strategies)

For that reason ITAS in cooperation with EMPA St. Gallen is organizing a one day workshop about risk perception, risk assessment and risk communication in the field of Nanotechnology. The workshop is mainly addressed to risk researchers, technology assessment experts, policy makers, sociologists, philosophers. The participation of researchers working in nanoscience or nanotechnologies is welcome.

Aim of the Workshop

The aim of the workshop is to structure the fields of risk research and risks assessment with respect to Nanotechnology, to provide a platform for the exchange of results about these topics, to identify new research questions and to give the opportunity for networking among interested researches and their respective organisations. General purpose of the workshop could be a "situation appreciation" and a discussion of research priorities, taking account the perspective of different disciplines and key actors.

Key Questions the Workshop is intended to address:

• Which kinds of risks are discussed with regard to nanotechnology? Which of those risks are NT specific? Are they different from other known risks?
• Is the debate about risks of nanotechnology comparable to other risk debates, like the debate about genetic engineering or nuclear power generation? Can experiences from these debates transferred to the debates about nanotechnology risks? What can key actors learn from these experiences?
• What are the dynamics of the debates about risks in the field of Nanotechnology? What are the drivers? Who are the actors, what are their intentions? How and by whom could such a debate be influenced?
• What is the right balance between the precautionary principle and fostering innovations?

Workshop Venue

The workshop will take place in the Main Lecture Hall of the Center for Advanced Technological and Environmental Training (Fortbildungszentrum für Technik und Umwelt) of the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe in Leopoldshafen.

Access Information can be found [here].

Registration

Participation in the workshop is free of charge, but registration is required. You can easily register by sending an email with your name, address, organisation and e-mail to petermann@itas.fzk.de.

We expect to be able to accommodate only a limited number of people. An early registration therefore is recommended.

Preliminary Programme (Last update: 03.11.2004)

More abstracts will be added as they become available.

Created: 27.10.2004 - Last update: 03.11.2004 - Comments to: webmaster@itas.fzk.de