Forums

This forum explores nanotechnology-enabled medical technologies and their potential to transform health care, while considering the societal, ethical, environmental and economic impacts of this emerging technology. This forum asks participants to consider and discuss two nanotechnology application scenarios and the possible opportunities, impacts, risks, and benefits. They will also have the opportunity to raise questions about the societal and environmental implications of nanotechnology to a panel of experts. Forum participants will deliberate in small groups and create a group response to the overarching question, “Under what conditions should nanotechnology applications in medicine and personal care products be made available to the public? Why?” Finally, each group will make a brief report to everyone on the group’s thoughts and recommendations

This forum places participants in the role of a governmental funding agency and asks them to consider how nanotechnology should fit into the timeline and scope of future national energy policy. A scientific expert begins the forum by providing a brief intro to nanotechnology and describing some of its potential benefits and possible uncertainties. A short video follows with three expert perspectives who discuss three possible energy funding strategies: Nanotechnology-dependent energy technologies. Existing alternative energy technologies. Conservation and energy efficiency. The participants are then asked to consider how they would allocate $100 million of hypothetical research and implementation funding between the strategies. Discussion cards describing various hypothetical scenarios are then presented to the groups, and the groups are asked to consider whether and how these scenarios might change their funding allocations.

This forum asks participants to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of three options. They will also have the opportunity to raise questions about the societal and environmental implications of nanotechnology to a panel of experts. Participants will work in small groups to form a group recommendation drawing from the options presented—perhaps adding or combining elements, or creating a totally new option representing your group’s view on the issue. They are not limited to the three options presented for discussion. If the group cannot reach agreement on a recommendation, have them identify the items they agree upon and those on which they differ. Finally, each group will make a brief report to everyone on the group’s recommendations.