The case for publicly funded research on the ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social issues raised by nanoscience and nanotechnology (N[E.sup.3]LS).

• Author: Sheremeta, Lorraine

The campaign against GMOs was successful despite the lack of sound scientific data demonstrating a threat to society. In fact, I argue that the lack of sufficient public scientific data on GMOs, whether positive or negative, was a controlling factor in the industry's fall from favor. The failure of the industry to produce and share information with public stakeholders left it ill-equipped to respond to GMO detractors. This industry went, in essence, from "wow" to "yuck" to "bankrupt." There is a powerful lesson here for nanotechnology. (1) On Tuesday, June 15, 2004, the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta hosted a multidisciplinary workshop in Edmonton, Alberta, to consider ways to promote collaborative N[E.sup.3]LS research in Canada. (2) The Workshop was one part of a continuing effort, commenced in Spring 2003, led by Timothy Caulfield and Abdallah Daar, to develop a Canadian N[E.sup.3]LS Forum. (3) The Forum is envisioned to be an inclusive, collaborative, multidisciplinary research team with relevant expertise and a desire to develop N[E.sup.3]LS research capacity in Canada.

Specifically, the June 15 Workshop was held to review the current status of N[E.sup.3]LS research, identify priorities and explore existing sources of research funding in Canada, the United States and Europe that may be sought to further the development of the nascent N[E.sup.3]LS Forum in Canada. Workshop Participants unanimously agreed that N[E.sup.3]LS issues must not be ignored if Canada is to move forward and become a world leader in the field of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has been given priority in Canada's national innovation agenda. This is evidenced by the Federal and Provincial governments' commitment to the National Institute for Nanotechnology (4), for which a new state of the art facility is currently being built at the University of Alberta. In addition, recent comments in the Speech from the Throne highlight the fact that Canada must strive to be "a world leader in developing and applying the path-breaking technologies of the 21st Century--biotechnology, environmental technology, information and communications technologies, health technologies, and nanotechnology." (5) In becoming a true leader in the area of nanotechnology, Canada would be remiss if it were not to carefully and proactively consider and address the N[E.sup.3]LS issues that have already been raised and that are likely to arise in the future. For these reasons, we believe that N[E.sup.3]LS research must, along with the scientific research, be considered...