[extropy-chat] New Task Force to Study Nanotech Implications

[MIKE TREDER]

*CRN Announces Formation of New Task Force to Study Societal Implications*

Today the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN) announced the charter 
members of a new Task Force convened to study the societal implications of 
this rapidly emerging technology. Bringing together a diverse group of 
world-class experts from multiple disciplines, CRN will begin a historic, 
collaborative effort to develop comprehensive policy recommendations for the 
safe and responsible use of molecular manufacturing.

Nanotechnology is the projected ability to make things from the bottom up, 
using techniques and tools that are being developed today to place every 
atom and molecule in a desired place. When this form of molecular 
engineering is achieved, it will result in a manufacturing revolution — with 
more promise for society than the computer revolution, but with potentially 
serious economic, social, environmental, and military implications.

Mike Treder, Executive Director of CRN, made the following statement:

"Progress toward developing the technical requirements for desktop molecular 
manufacturing is moving faster than it was when we founded CRN two years 
ago. The recent announcement of a Technology Roadmap for Productive 
Nanosystems, to be organized by the Battelle research organization and the 
Foresight Nanotech Institute, has highlighted the urgent need for parallel 
policy discussions at the highest levels. We must not allow efforts to 
effectively prepare for the impacts of nanotechnology to lag behind advances 
on the technical side.

"All of our research to date shows that molecular manufacturing will have a 
transformative impact on our society, industry, the environment, and 
geopolitics. Without adequate preparation and study, the effects could be 
dangerously disruptive.

"CRN is honored today to announce the charter members who will head the 
important work of the Task Force. They share our vision that it is critical 
to begin this dialogue and to include people with expertise and worldviews 
spanning the globe. In addition, we are proud to have both the Society of 
Manufacturing Engineers and the Society of Police Futurists International as 
organizational participants."

Charter members of the Task Force include:

· Nick Bostrom, Ph.D. -- Director, Future of Humanity Institute, Oxford 
University
· David Brin -- Author, The Transparent Society
· Jerome C. Glenn -- Director, United Nations University's Millennium 
Project
· Ray Kurzweil -- Founder and CEO, Kurzweil Technologies, Inc.

Treder continued, "We look forward to working together with all these 
leaders in their respective fields to establish a factual foundation for 
advanced nanotechnology; identify potential problems arising from the 
technology and its administration; design recommendation for global 
solutions; plan and strategize the implementation of the solutions; and 
communicate our findings to where they need to be heard.

"Without mutual understanding and cooperation in making policy, the 
hazardous potentials of advanced nanotechnology could spiral out of control 
and deny any hope of realizing the benefits to society. The CRN Task Force, 
led by this talented group of charter members, is poised to begin this 
important work."


The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (http://CRNano.org) is a 
non-profit research and advocacy organization concerned with the major 
societal and environmental implications of advanced nanotechnology. CRN 
promotes public awareness and education, and the crafting of effective 
policy to maximize benefits and reduce dangers. Headquartered in New York, 
CRN is an affiliate of World Care, an international, non-profit, 501(c)(3) 
organization.

RELEASE ONLINE: http://www.crnano.org/PR-charter.htm