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Foresight call to action
Despite the revolutionary promise of molecular nanotechnology (MNT), the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) excludes explicit funding for MNT. The recent Drexler-Smalley debate in Chemical & Engineering News offers an opportunity to correct that. Foresight president Christine Peterson suggests how.
Nobel chemist Richard Smalley
has responded to Dr. Eric Drexler's challenge to defend the controversial
direction of U.S. policy in nanotechnology, which excludes work on
molecular manufacturing. This debate—and the subsequent press
coverage—offers an opportunity to change the flawed course of
the field.
The revolutionary promise of molecular nanotechnology (MNT) has
become a part of society's expectations for the future. This technology
will provide nanomedicine breakthroughs that could cure cancer and
extend life spans, bring abundance without environmental harm, and
provide clean sources of energy. These ideas are part of the vision
that launched the field of nanotechnology.
Although the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) currently
supports a host of valuable projects, it is excluding work explicitly
directed toward MNT. In an effort to distance the field from fears
that might threaten funding, the leading NNI spokesman, Dr. Richard
Smalley, has declared that molecular assemblers are impossible.
This stance has opened a vast gap, creating a world in which students
interested in pursuing MNT research lack sponsorship, while lab
groups and start-up companies working toward MNT goals must hide
their intentions. By declaring molecular assembly technology to
be impossible, detractors have tried to relegate it to fringe status.
Fortunately, this erroneous situation is beginning to change, in
part because the extended Foresight community refuses to let this
important issue be dismissed. We now have a unique opportunity to
seize the momentum. Richard Smalley has responded to my challenge,
and the ensuing exchange—the Dec. 1 cover
story of the American Chemical Society's magazine, Chemical
& Engineering News—may mark a tipping point, but only
if it is seen—and properly understood—by a wider audience,
and if it is properly translated into <a href="javascript:loadBrain('Action')" onMouseOver="playBrain('Action')" onMouseOut="stopBrain()" class="thought">action</a>. </p>
<h2>WHAT YOU CAN DO!</h2>
<p>I urge you to read the <a href="http://www.foresight.org/press.html#20031201" target="_blank">Foresight
press release</a>. Read the <a href="http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/8148/8148counterpoint.html" target="_blank">full
exchange</a> and then consider what part you can play in adding
to the momentum. The detractors of MNT have shown the power of disinformation;
it's <a href="javascript:loadBrain('Time')" onMouseOver="playBrain('Time')" onMouseOut="stopBrain()" class="thought">time</a> they saw what well-informed people can do. </p>
<p>Some suggestions:</p>
<p>1. SPEAK UP: make others aware of what's
going on. Forward the press release and the exchange. Write a letter
to the editor of your favorite publication, attaching these materials
and requesting coverage of this important issue. Raise issues and
answer naysayers though message boards and blogs. Show the opposition
our <a href="javascript:loadBrain('Number')" onMouseOver="playBrain('Number')" onMouseOut="stopBrain()" class="thought">number</a>s and <a href="javascript:loadBrain('Knowledge')" onMouseOver="playBrain('Knowledge')" onMouseOut="stopBrain()" class="thought">knowledge</a>.</p>
<p>2. ELEVATE THE DEBATE: shift the discussion
on molecular assemblers and molecular manufacturing from rhetoric
and metaphors to <a href="javascript:loadBrain('Science')" onMouseOver="playBrain('Science')" onMouseOut="stopBrain()" class="thought">science</a> and research. Demand proof from those dismissing
the accomplishments to date. Give someone influential a copy of
<i>Nanosystems</i> (chapters 1 and 2 are <a href="http://www.foresight.org/Nanosystems/toc.html" target="_blank">on
the web</a>). Refer them to the work of Ralph Merkle, <a href="javascript:loadBrain('Freitas, Robert')" onMouseOver="playBrain('Freitas, Robert')" onMouseOut="stopBrain()" class="thought">Robert Freitas</a>
and others.</p>
<p>3. GET MORE ACTIVE: request seminars and
classes on related topics. Transform your next social <a href="javascript:loadBrain('Event')" onMouseOver="playBrain('Event')" onMouseOut="stopBrain()" class="thought">event</a> or book
group to focus on these issues. Become more engaged with Foresight
:</p>
<p>
<ul>
<li>Help match the <a href="http://www.foresight.org/challenge/" target="_blank">challenge
grant</a></li>
<li>Tell us about <a href="https://marble.he.net/%7Eforesite/short_survey.html" target="_blank">yourself
and your skills</a></li>
<li>Consider how you can help with plans for Foresight's <a href="http://www.foresight.org/stage2/" target="_blank">next
phase</a> </li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p>4. ABOVE ALL, TAKE ACTION</p>
<p>Regardless of what avenues you may choose, make your voice and
intentions heard. Our future is counting on you.</p>
<p><a href="javascript:loadBrain('Peterson, Christine')" onMouseOver="playBrain('Peterson, Christine')" onMouseOut="stopBrain()" class="thought">Christine Peterson</a>, <br>
President <br>
<a href="javascript:loadBrain('Foresight Institute')" onMouseOver="playBrain('Foresight Institute')" onMouseOut="stopBrain()" class="thought">Foresight Institute</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.foresight.org/stage2/" target="_blank">Foresight
Institute</a>, PO Box 61058, Palo Alto, CA 94306 USA<br>
tel +1 650 917 1122 fax +1 650 917 1123</p>
<p>Foresight is the leading public interest organization in nanotechnology.
A non-profit <a href="javascript:loadBrain('Education')" onMouseOver="playBrain('Education')" onMouseOut="stopBrain()" class="thought">education</a>al think tank, Foresight Institute was founded
in 1986.</p>
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