The case of nanobiotechnology : towards a prospective risk assessment

The public debate about assessing the risks of new technologies can fall into two extremes, technology skeptics who look exclusively at risks and advocate for a policy that allows for no risks to be taken, or technology advocates, who stress only the benefits in their policies. The first kind of assessment leads to the development of policies that often curtail development, and the second often leads to the extensive use of a new technology without a through investigation being done of associated risks. In this article the author argues for a balanced and open discussion about the potential benefits and risks of nanotechnology, and a risk assessment plan that includes assessment of current opportunities and risks, and constant monitory of new nanotechnology applications. This risks assessment must include the primary and secondary effects of nanotechnology human health, the environment, as well as potential social and cultural effects.