29 January 2003
News Release
www.etcgroup.org
The Big Down: Technologies Converging at the Nano-scale
The ETC Group (formerly known as RAFI) today announces the publication of The
Big Down: Atomtech - Technologies Converging at the Nano-scale, the first comprehensive
and critical analysis of nanotechnology for civil society and policymakers.
The 80-page report seeks to widen civil society's and policymakers' focus beyond
biotech and genetically engineered crops, and to catalyze widespread public
debate on the societal impacts of nanotechnology.
The ability of scientists to modify matter is taking a giant step down - from
genes to atoms - explains ETC Group. While society is mired in acrimonious debates
on the promises and perils of genetic modification, industrial enterprises are
harnessing an atomic engineering revolution that could modify all matter - both
living and non-living -- and transform every aspect of work and life.
Nanotechnology refers to the manipulation of atoms and molecules at the level
of the nanometer, one billionth of a meter. It is at this scale that quantum
physics takes over from classical physics and the properties of elements change
character in novel and unpredictable ways. ETC Group prefers the more descriptive
term "Atomtechnology" because the manipulation of matter will not
stop at the nano-scale. Atomtechnology refers to a spectrum of new technologies
that operate at the nano-scale and below - that is, the manipulation of molecules,
atoms and sub-atomic particles to create new products.
"The world's most powerful emerging technology is developing in an almost-total
political and regulatory vacuum," says Pat Mooney, Executive Director of
ETC Group. "Public and private research at the nano-scale is evolving beneath
the radar screen of civil society and government regulators." Because nano-scale
technologies can be applied to virtually every industrial sector, explains ETC
Group, no regulatory body is taking the lead. And because many of its products
are nano-sized versions of conventional compounds, regulatory scrutiny has been
deemed unnecessary.
Atomtechnology is well on its way to creating an economic and social revolution
expected to be worth US$1 trillion by 2015. Virtually all sectors of the economy
will be affected. The Big Down addresses the hard questions: Who will control
nanotechnology? Who will determine the research agenda and who will benefit
from nano-scale technologies? How can governments and civil society begin to
address the potential socio-economic, environmental and health impacts of nanotechnology
without discouraging the safe exploration of its beneficial possibilities?
"Understanding and oversight by civil society and governments is urgently
needed," warns Hope Shand, Research Director of ETC Group, "The products
of nano-scale technologies are already being rushed to market without transparent
and democratic processes of review, assessment and regulation." The ETC
Group proposes that governments declare an immediate moratorium on commercial
production of new nanomaterials and launch a transparent global process for
evaluating the socio-economic, health and environmental implications of the
technology.
In 2002, public and private funding for basic nano-scale research was approximately
$4 billion worldwide. Over 30 national governments have launched nanoscience
initiatives, and more will follow. An impressive range of Fortune 500 companies
is beefing up in-house R&D related to Atomtech, entrepreneurs are launching
start-ups and venture capitalists are signaling interest. The number of nano-related
scientific articles and nano-related patents is surging.
"By 2005," states Jim Thomas, ETC Group Programme Manager, "Atomtech
will attract more interest and controversy than biotech. By 2010, nano-scale
technologies will be the determining factor to profitability in virtually every
sector of industrial economies, and by 2015, the controllers of Atomtechnology
will be the ruling force in the world economy," said Thomas.
The release of The Big Down is the first in a series of events planned throughout
the year. The Big Down made its international debut at the World Social Forum
in Porto Alegre, Brazil (January 23-27). ETC Group's Executive Director, Pat
Roy Mooney, and Programme Manager, Silvia Ribeiro, spoke at the global event.
Over 70,000 civil society activists attended. In Brazil, ETC Group met with
the Brazilian Ministers of Science & Technology and the Environment to discuss
nano-scale technologies. At the end of February, Pat Mooney will speak to Indian
Parliamentarians in New Delhi.
In mid-June, ETC Group will co-host a conference in the European Parliament
in Brussels for media and policymakers to examine some of the issues raised
by Atomtechnology - this in conjunction with the European Green Party, the Dag
Hammerskjöld Foundation, Greenpeace and Genewatch.
The complete text of The Big Down is available on the ETC Group website, and
hard copies are available for US$10.00. Contact etc@etcgroup.org for more information.
For more information, please contact:
Pat Mooney, Executive Director
ETC Group
Phone: 204 453-5259 (Canada)
etc@etcgroup.org
Jim Thomas, European Programme Manager
ETC Group
Phone: +44 (0)1865 207818 (UK)
jim@etcgroup.org
Silvia Ribeiro
Phone: 52 55 55 63 26 64 (Mexico)
silvia@etcgroup.org
Hope Shand/Kathy Jo Wetter
ETC Group
Phone: 919 960-5223 (USA)
hope@etcgroup.org kjo@etcgroup.org
The Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration, ETC Group (pronounced
et cetera group), is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable advancement
of cultural and ecological diversity and human rights. To this end, ETC Group
supports socially responsible developments in technologies useful to the poor
and marginalized and it addresses governance issues affecting the international
community. We also monitor the ownership and control of technologies, and the
consolidation of corporate power. www.etcgroup.org