Those pushing nanotechnology boundaries need to mind the gaps between science and ethics and between industrialized and developing countries. Its champions could find themselves with little more than wistful visions of what could be, while trying to manage public fear and opposition at every turn. Nanotechnologists are privileged in that they have an opportunity to develop an ethical framework ahead of time, rather than trying to play catchup as has been the case for those advocating genetically modified GM foods. This particular field has storm clouds gathering, warned Peter Singer, physician with the Joint Centre for Bioethics at the University of Toronto.

This particular field has storm clouds gathering, warned Peter Singer, physician with the Joint Centre for Bioethics at the University of Toronto. National leaders as well, notably Prince Charles, have gone on the record with technophobic messages. Many warn of the dangers. We should speed up the ethics, not slow down the science. Already on the list might be the NanoWater initiative, developed by Cientfica, London and Madridbased nanotechnology information and consulting firm. These days, in fact, the industrylimiting backlash in many countries against genetically modified GM foods has become its poster child.

With nanotechnology, Singer asked, are we heading for GM foods showdown? Such showdown will unfold, Singer saidunless scientists begin to listen to, acknowledge, and respectfully address public perceptions and some tough issues. One is the gap between industrialized and developing countries. National leaders as well, notably Prince Charles, have gone on the record with technophobic messages. Public angst about new technology is hardly new. You should not have reason to say you were blindsided by issues like these, Singer said. Singer suggests developing list of the top ten nanotechnologies for the developing world.

Perhaps three out of ten Canadians even know the term, Singer noted. With nanotechnology, Singer asked, are we heading for GM foods showdown? Such showdown will unfold, Singer saidunless scientists begin to listen to, acknowledge, and respectfully address public perceptions and some tough issues. In fact, Singer says the nanoscience and nanotechnology community head off its own showdown with technologywary public? Could nanoresearchers even earn positive public opinion? For guidance, Singer invoked familiar safety motto mind the gap. This particular field has storm clouds gathering.