tailieunhanh - Cutting edge nanotechnology_1

Nanotechnology began as a theoretical concept in 1959 in a talk by Nobel physicist Richard Feynman. By the 1980s the theory of nanotechnology became more of a fact when new microscopes were developed allowing scientists to see nanometers, down to one-billionth of a meter (Brown, 2008). | 1 The need for practical regulation of developing commercial nanotechnology Charles R. McConachie and . McConachie Law Dallas Texas USA 1. Introduction Nanotechnology began as a theoretical concept in 1959 in a talk by Nobel physicist Richard Feynman. By the 1980s the theory of nanotechnology became more of a fact when new microscopes were developed allowing scientists to see nanometers down to one-billionth of a meter Brown 2008 . Commercial development of nanotechnology has expanded significantly as can be seen by the fact that between March 2006 and August 2008 the total number of consumer nanotechnology based products manufactured in the US rose from 125 to 426. In Asia the increase has been from less than 40 products to 227 in the same time period Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies 2009 . A trip through Google with the search term nanotechnology development reveals approximately 5 320 000 different web sites 2009 . It is submitted that nanotechnology is a rapidly growing phenomena that has had and will have profound impact on man and the environment. Some of the impact will be good especially in the new consumer products becoming available in all kinds of areas from new roofing insulation materials to new incredible medical devices McConachie 2008 . It is anticipated and predicted that this same nanotechnology development without regulation to protect the environment health and safety EHS will result in profound and disturbing harm to man and the environment Renn Roco 2006 . The purpose of this chapter is to identify nanotechnology regulation that exists present the rationale for maintaining status quo ante as well as for the promulgation of regulation promulgation of further regulation and with an understanding of what the risks are likely to be suggest that because there is now no binding regulation of nanotechnology mankind needs to take appropriate action before the EHS goes through its 9 11 event. 2. The State of Nanotechnology Regulation