My overwhelming impression after sitting through a day-long session titled “FDA Nanotechnology Public Meeting” was of the excruciatingly slow pace of the regulatory process, at least as it relates to nanotechnology in the US. In October, 2006, the FDA held an initial public meeting on this same topic. So what has changed between 2006 and 2008?
Washington DC Nano News
An occasional blog on nano-related legislative and policy events from inside the Beltway and their relevance to the NISE Network.
Is Your Summer Break Over?
Congress’s almost is. And that means a possible decision on the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendment Act of 2008. Want a refresher on where this Act stands, and what has to happen for reauthorization?
Public Engagement on a Plane
I was at the NISE Net public engagement planning meeting in late July at the Science Museum of Minnesota. On the return flight to Boston, I had a conversation about nano with a fellow passenger that, to me, underscored the timeliness of the activities we are developing.
Nano for the Next Administration
This summer, I planned my vacation to Maine for the fourth week of July. I was conflicted when the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies announced a talk and document release for that week. I thought about my commitment to this blog, weighed the pros and cons (current news vs. coast of Maine, July in DC vs. coast of Maine, lunch at the Wilson Center vs. lobster roll on the coast of Maine - hmmm). I asked Vrylena Olney to go in my place. Here’s her guest blog.
The Science of Politics...
This week there was also reception on Capitol Hill for Bill Foster (D-IL), who won a special election held in March, 2008 to replace retiring Republican representative Dennis Hastert, former Speaker of the House. The reception was to honor him as the newest physicist elected to Congress. Which made me ask: just how many Congress(wo)men are scientists? Is that important?
The Politics of Science…
As election season draws near, the scientific community is gearing up for the next administration. A document released by, The Wilson Center OSTP 2.0 CRITICAL UPGRADE, presents recommendations about science and technology policymaking for the next president.
Science Showcase on the Hill
June 25 was the 14th Congressional exhibition and reception of the Coalition for National Science Funding. The coalition includes over 120 organizations, associations, and universities that track federal spending on science research. They also sponsor an annual Capitol Hill showcase of projects funded by NSF. It’s a nice event - held in the Rayburn Office Building and catered, with fancy but substantial appetizers and wine and beer.
A Buckyball for Bob
I actually went to the Nanomedicine briefing for a somewhat shallower reason than the previous post would imply. I sometimes get tired of taxing my brain with new nanofacts, and admit that there is large portion of this field that I will never understand. Still, the sociology of nanoscientists fascinates me, probably because they are such a diverse group and are unaccustomed to being lumped together. When asked, most identify themselves as chemists, engineers, medical doctors, toxicologists, etc. Who among them might be called simply a "nanoscientist"?
Targeting Cancer
The June briefing hosted by the Congressional Nanotech Caucus was on nanomedicine - specifically, the use of nanoparticles in cancer treatment. The guest list comprised mostly representatives of the Alliance for Nanohealth, a Houston-based collaboration of researchers that aims to find nanotechnology solutions to unresolved medical problems. If any group of researchers can find a way to beat cancer, it's this one.
Still Just a Bill
So where did H.R. 5940 go next? For those of you who need a reminder of steps in the process, here’s a link to the classic song and video: I’m Just a Bill. In this case, next stop was a vote by the full House, which took place after about 40 minutes of discussion on June 5. Want to know how your Representative voted? Check out the results of Roll Call 383. Want to know how your representative or senator feels about other science policy issues?
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