Nanotech: Unpredictable and Un-Regulated
Submitted by ETC Staff on
The ETC Group releases a new Communiqué today (08.07.2004) that provides an update on policy discussions related to nanotech health and safety issues and the glaring lack of regulatory oversight. According to the ETC Group, governments on both sides of the Atlantic are reluctantly and belatedly conceding that current safety and health regulations may not be adequate to address the special exigencies of nano-scale materials. In sharp contrast to the political climate one year ago, the potential health and environmental risks of some nano-scale technologies are being openly discussed in Europe and North America. Since mid-2002, ETC Group has called for a moratorium on the use of synthetic nanoparticles in the lab and in any new commercial products until governments adopt "best practices" for research.
26 Governments Tiptoe Toward Global Nano Governance: Grey Goovernance?
Submitted by ETC Staff on
On June 17-18 2004, a first intergovernmental dialogue on "Responsible Research and Development of Nanotechnology" convened in Washington with representatives from 26 countries. In his introductory remarks, Mike Roco of the US government’s National Science Foundation explained that the meeting was dedicated to the examination of broad societal issues that cannot be addressed by any single country. Roco asked: "How can we prepare our world for the emergence of nanotechnology?"
Sigilosa reunión de 26 gobiernos sobre nanotecnología
Submitted by ETC Staff on
El 17 y 18 de junio 2004 se llevó a cabo en Washington un primer diálogo intergubernamental sobre investigación y desarrollo responsable de la nanotecnología ("Responsible Research and Development of Nanotechnology") con representantes de 26 países. En sus palabras de bienvenida, Mike Roco, de la Fundación Nacional para la Ciencia de Estados Unidos explicó que la reunión abordó las amplias implicaciones sociales que no pueden ser tratadas por los países de manera individual. El cuestionamiento principal de Roco fue: "¿cómo podemos preparar nuestro mundo para la emergencia de la nanotecnología?"
26 Governments Tiptoe Toward Global Nano Governance
Submitted by ETC Staff on
On June 17-18 2010, a first intergovernmental dialogue on “Responsible Research and Development of Nanotechnology” convened in Washington with representatives from 26 countries. In his introductory remarks, Mike Roco of the US government’s National Science Foundation explained that the meeting was dedicated to the examination of broad societal issues that cannot be addressed by any single country. Roco asked: “How can we prepare our world for the emergence of nanotechnology?”
Message to FAO: "Fight Hunger - Not Farmers"
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More than 650 civil society organisations (NGOs and social movements) and 800 individuals from 83 countries delivered an open letter to Jacques Diouf, Director-General of the Rome-based UN agency today condemning FAO's incompetence in addressing scientific and technical issues related to genetically- engineered crops and questioning the agency's integrity in relating to the world's smallholder farmers. Among the signatories are national and international farmers' organisations, scientists, and literally hundreds of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) some of whom have had formal consultative status with FAO for decades. The letter was hand-delivered to FAO on behalf of its signatories Wednesday morning by Antonio Onorati, who chaired the umbrella body that worked with FAO and its member governments for the World Food Summits of 1996 and 2002.