Invitation to a 1-day Seminar on Nanotechnology for Policymakers, Civil
Society and the Media held at the European Parliament in Brussels - June
11, 2003.

Please pass on this invitation - Forward to others who may be
interested.
Thankyou.
Jim Thomas - ETC Group.

----------------------------------------------------------------

ATOM TECHNOLOGY : Nanotechnology and Converging Technologies.
The Implications of Atomic Modification for Europe and Beyond.

"Nanotechnology will do wonderful things. But there are almost bound to
be risks attached to its usage." - Financial Times, September, 2002.

Background

Nanotechnology is fast emerging as a powerful industrial force and is
set to become the defining technology of the new century.

Nanotechnology refers to the ability to manipulate matter at the level
of atoms and molecules (One nanometer = one billionth of a meter). At
this scale quantum physics changes the fundamental properties of
elements (colour, strength, reactivity, electrical conductivity, etc.)
in unexpected ways. By exploiting nanoscale effects, scientists are
engineering novel materials, some of which have never before been
identified in nature. Nanotechnology also refers to building new
structures atom by atom.

In 2001, global spending on nanotech (public and private) was
approximately US$4 billion. Over 30 national governments have now
launched nanoscience initiatives, with Europe, USA and Japan competing
for the lead. An estimated five hundred nanotech companies are active
throughout Europe, North America and Asia. By 2015 global
nanotech-related sales are predicted to exceed $1 trillion per annum
(Source: US National Science Foundation). All major sectors of the
economy will be affected.

Like nuclear power, computing and genetic engineering before it, the
ability to atomically modify matter - both living and non-living - will
alter our societies, our economies and even our sense of ourselves. The
nanotech revolution, however, is currently evolving quietly beneath the
radar screens of government regulators and the public alike.

Nano-scale technologies are already being quietly applied to virtually
every industrial sector, from electronics and computing, defence and
weaponry to energy, food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Nanoproducts
from sunscreens to fabrics are already in our shops. However, no
regulatory body has taken the lead to ensure that nanotech applications
are safe. Because many of the technology's products are nano-sized
versions of conventional compounds, regulatory scrutiny has been
overlooked. So far, nano-scale technologies are out-of-sight and
out-of-mind for most politicians, regulators and the public.

The hard questions have not yet been asked:
- Who will control nanotechnology? Who will determine the research
agenda and who will benefit from nano-scale technologies?
- What mischief can synthetic nanoparticles create floating around in
our ecosystem, our food supply and in our bodies?
- What happens when human-made nanoparticles are small enough to slip
past our immune systems and enter living cells?
- What might be the socioeconomic impacts of this new industrial
revolution?
- How will countries in the South be affected?
- Should governments apply the Precautionary Principle?

The Seminar
On June 11, 2003 a range of parliamentarians and expert speakers will
describe the current state of nanotechnology, examine its risks and
promises and propose steps toward regulating this powerful new
technology. Topics will include:

* An Introduction to Nanotechnology.
* Understanding how Nanotechnology is converging with Biotechnology,
Information Technology and Cognitive Neuroscience.
* Environmental and health impacts of Nanotechnology.
* Nanopatents and intellectual property.
* Nanoweaponry, surveillance and security.
* Are there lessons to be learned from European biotech, nuclear and
chemical policies?

Who:
This seminar is intended for policy makers and civil servants from
European institutions and national governments alike. It is also for
representatives of civil society, concerned members of the public and
the media.
A cross party group of MEPs is sponsoring the seminar organized by ETC
Group, the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation and the European Green Group in
Parliament. Clean Production Action, GeneWatch UK, Greenpeace and The
Ecologist magazine are also supporting this event.

When and Where:
The European Parliament in Brussels.
Wednesday June 11th 2003,
9am - 1pm.

The conference takes place in room ASP 1E2 - European Parliament, Rue
Wiertz (Metro : Trone or Maelbeek).

Registration:
Registration is free. However, an access badge to the European
Parliament is required. This can be obtained by registering before June
6th with Laurence Van de Walle: [log in to unmask] (phone
number: +32 2 2841695).

A buffet lunch will be provided. Translation will be available in
French, German and English.

Further details will be available soon at www.etcgroup.org or from:

Jim Thomas, ETC Group
c/o The Ethical Property Company
9 Park End Street
Oxford, Oxfordshire
OX1 1HH,
England.
Phone: +44 (0)1865 207818
[log in to unmask]

For additional background information, please see:
The Big Down: Atomtech - Technologies Converging at the Nano-scale,
available online: www.etcgroup.org.

**********************************************************************

1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example,
send an email to [log in to unmask] with the following message:

set psci-com nomail

2. To resume email from the list, send the following message:

set psci-com mail

3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the message:

leave psci-com

4. Further information about the psci-com discussion list, including list archive,
can be found at the list web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html

5. The psci-com gateway to internet resources on science communication and science
and society can be found at http://psci-com.org.uk
**********************************************************************