July 28, 2004 9:03 PM

UK Academy Proposes Regulating Nanotechnology

This BBC story just in from the "strangling the infant in the crib" department.

The Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK are about to propose new regulations governing nanotechnology, long before any real nanotechnology has even be developed.

Best quote from the online article:

"Our main concern is that this is a new, powerful technological platform that could be disruptive," said Jim Thomas, from the campaigning ETC (Erosion, Technology and Concentration) Group.

"What does it mean for the poor, disabled, the disadvantaged - people who are usually left out of the debate?"

He stressed that nanotechnology should be developed to benefit all, and that public engagement was essential.

How the poor and disadvantaged might be helped by delaying things like lifesaving technologies and radically less expensive goods, Mr. Thomas doesn't say. Presumably the disabled might be angry about medical nanobots going in, fixing their severed spinal cords and permanently ending their blissful paraplegia.

I'm reminded yet again that the speeches the bad guys in "Atlas Shrugged" make are not parodies — they're the sorts of things real people say. It is almost enough to make me reach for a pack of ciggies with dollar signs on the filters, only I think smoking is stupid.

Perhaps we can introduce Mr. Thomas to the bureaucrats in Ghana, who are also working to help the poor. They may have ideas to trade about the public betterment.


Posted by Perry E. Metzger | Categories: Economics, Politics, Science & Technology