Amid growing public concern that the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is not effectively addressing the potential risks of nanotechnology, Environmental Defense today pointed to a precedent and potential model to resolve the conflict between NNI's dual charges to both promote and oversee the technology. The model is drawn from our nation's past experience in managing another controversial and potentially risky technology: nuclear power. Environmental Defense discussed the model in a supplement to its October 31 testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives' Science and Technology Committee.
Like the NNI, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), first established in 1946, was tasked with both encouraging the development and use of nuclear power and regulating its safety. Concerns about this dual charge led Congress to abolish the AEC in 1975, and to assign its risk research and oversight functions to a new entity, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Research and development efforts have continued under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
"Congress' decision to clearly separate the promotional and oversight functions was deemed necessary to reverse the loss of public trust in the Federal Government's ability to manage both roles," said Environmental Defense Senior Scientist Dr. Richard A. Denison. "While we make no representation as to the NRC's performance, we believe this prior experience may offer important lessons for managing the Federal role in nanotechnology."
Unlike the nuclear energy case, Denison emphasized that Environmental Defense is not calling for the creation of a whole new agency charged with regulating nanotechnology. Instead, an entity under the NNI
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