STLQ

:: Nano is everywhere. The UK government is one of the interested parties:

In June 2003 the UK Government commissioned the Royal Society, the UK national academy of science, and the Royal Academy of Engineering, the UK national academy of engineering, to carry out an independent study of likely developments and whether nanotechnology raises or is likely to raise new ethical, health and safety or social issues which are not covered by current regulation.

1. define what is meant by nanoscience and nanotechnology;
   
2. summarise the current state of scientific knowledge about nanotechnology;
   
3. identify the specific applications of the new technologies, in particular where nanotechnology is already in use;
   
4. carry out a forward look to see how the technology might be used in future, where possible estimating the likely time scales in which the most far-reaching applications of the technology might become reality;
   
5. identify what environmental, health and safety, ethical or societal implications or uncertainties may arise from the use of the technology, both current and future;
   
6. identify areas where regulation needs to be considered

Thanks to Robyn Mills, CSIRO Cunningham Library, St Lucia, Queensland in Oz, for bringing this to my attention.