A suggested three-tiered approach to assessing the implications of nanotechnology and influencing its development

The author discusses some of the problems with trying to do a technology assessment of nanotechnology because of the extreme lack of information currently and then explains a three tiered approach for doing a prospective assessment of nanotechnology. This assessment includes a prospective assessment of nanotechnologies with respect to opportunities and hazards with a focus on the technology itself, evaluation of eco- and resource-efficiency potentials by application of life-cycle assessment methods (extrapolating) to typical applications and comparison with existing products and processes, and influencing the development of technologies, processes and products through discursive explication of existing Lietbilder or vision statements that integrate the aspects of health, safety, and environment.