Nanotech and the Precautionary Prince

Prince Charles' concerns about the emerging revolution in nanotechnology have catapulted tabloid headlines about "grey goo" (and impending doom) onto front pages around the world. Industry fears that the great GMO (genetically modified organisms) debate is about to go down to the nanoscale inhabited by atoms and molecules. But the virulent attacks against the Prince may only be the latest of a series of technical and tactical mistakes made by nanotech's over-eager proponents.