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publifocus «Nanotechnology»

Growing nanotubes

“Nanotubes” growing (photo: Ch. Schönenberger, University of Basel)

Introduction

What is nanotechnology?
Scratch-resistant varnish, dirt-repellent clothing, self-cleaning windows or new types of food and drugs. In many cases, such innovations are based on nanotechnology. In the nanosciences and nanotechnologies, researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, biotechnology, medicine, informatics and materials science are working and experimenting with single atoms and molecules. One nanometre is one billionth of a metre or one millionth of a millimetre. Nanostructures are, in one dimension at least, smaller than 100 nanometres. In this dimension the properties of materials sometimes undergo radical changes – and that is opening up new opportunities for the technology.

Opportunities and risks of nanotechnologies
Nanotechnologies are described as the key technology of the 21st century. We have to assume that they will bring dramatic changes to our everyday lives, and will also impact on the environment. There are already over 200 nano-products and some 600 nano-materials or additives on the global market. In Switzerland, too, there are sun creams and toothpastes that contain nanoparticles, and the antibacterial effect in some fabrics and toys is the result of nanotechnology. In the future, drugs, for example, could target cancer cells directly, or materials that are micro-sized insulators but nano-sized conductors could be used as efficient energy carriers. It seems that the potential applications are boundless. The International Association of Nanotechnology has estimated that in 2006 global investment in nano research and development will amount to around 4.3 billion US dollars. So naturally, “nano” has also become a good selling point. But just because it says “nano” on the label (as with the “iPod Nano”, or “Nano-Magic” household spray), it does not necessarily mean that there is actually any “nano” inside.

But at the same time, there are also some products that contain nano-sized substances but do not specifically declare it. Regulations about handling nanoparticles still have to be formulated. In Switzerland, the FOPH and the FOEN are developing an “Action plan on synthetic nanoparticles 2006 – 2009”. There is an urgent need for this, because toxicological studies on synthetically produced nanoparticles have indicated possible health risks. What may be harmless as a microparticle (one millionth of a metre in size) may have serious effects on human beings and the environment as a nanoparticle. Researchers, industrialists, government agencies and insurers are, however, unanimous: much more research has to be done in the nanoscience and nanotechnology fields on the possible toxicity of certain nanoparticles and the consequent potential risks for human beings and the environment.

Why hold a TA-SWISS publifocus on “Nanotechnologies and what they mean for health and the environment”?
Nanotechnological developments have the potential to change key areas of life in our society over the coming years and decades. This will also impact on ecological systems. As yet, there is little public awareness about nanotechnologies. In Switzerland, too, it is only recently that a coordinated approach has been initiated to questions of regulation. Political groups are paying close attention to the technical developments. Studies help to weigh up the opportunities and risks. Any legislation that may be necessary, however, must also take the views of the population into account. How do so-called “laypersons” perceive the nanotech debate? Where do citizens see opportunities for themselves, their health and the environment? And where do the possible risks lie? Does nano-research exceed ethical boundaries? Is there a need for regulation or a standardised declaration? These are questions that TA-SWISS wanted to discuss with randomly selected citizens’ groups. Publifocus events are to be held in all parts of the country during September 2006.

Aims of the publifocus
The aim of the discussions is

to find out from those taking part what their initial views are on the acceptability and desirability of nanotechnologies, what reservations they have about them, and other open questions;
to demonstrate how the use of nanomaterials and the possible social and economic impact of the new technologies are being assessed by “laypersons” who have some knowledge of the subject.

Results

Findings
The participants’ views – the results of the publifocus events, that is – are compiled into a report. This will be published towards the end of 2006 with the aim of informing interested members of the public – and members of parliament, as it is they who will have to decide whether there is likely to be any need for legislation as a result of developments in nanoscience and nanotechnology and their applications.

Recommendations
No recommendations are made on the basis of publifocus events. They do, however, give some idea of the views of the publifocus participants, showing where there are areas of conflict.

Procedure

Methodology

Literature and Internet research is used as a basis to determine the state of nanotechnological development and initiate the debate on the opportunities and risks. An abridged version is set out in an information brochure.
Interested members of civil society from all parts of the country are sought out and invited to attend the publifocus events in the form of moderated evening debates.
A record is made of the discussions at the five or so publifocus events and compiled in a final report.
The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur (ZHW) will be actively supporting the project. A widely based group of experts from the fields of politics, research, science, business, society, the media and NGOs will be providing critical support for the project.

Timetable
Project start: autumn 2005 | finish: December 2006

Downloads

Media information
12.07.06 publifocus Nanotechnologien: Chancen und Risiken frühzeitig diskutieren (30 KB)
12.07.06 publifocus sur les nanotechnologies: débattre à temps de leurs avantages et de leurs risques (32 KB)
12.07.06 publifocus sulle nanotecnologie: Discussione tempestiva sulle
opportunità e sui rischi (21 KB)

11.12.06 Lay thinking about nanotechnologies and what follows from it (28 KB)

Information brochure
08.09.06 Know Your Nano! (511 KB)

Final report
18.12.06 Public Reactions to Nanotechnology in Switzerland (PDF 428 KB)
also available in German, French and Italian

Events

Conferences

12.06.2007
Kleine Teilchen mit grosser Zukunft: Chancen und Risiken der Nanotechnologie

Participation
free

Programme
(in German)

Organisation
Zürcher Hochschule Winterthur and TA-SWISS

24.05.2007
Kleiner Kanton - grosse Zukunft. Nanotechnologie: Aufbruch für den Industriekanton Glarus? Aula Kantonsschule Glarus

Participants

Dr. Sergio Bellucci, Managing Director TA-SWISS, Ergebnisse publifocus «Nanotechnologien»
Dr. Michael Riediker, Institut de Santé au Travail, Université de Lausanne, Was ist Nanotechnologie?
Samuel Enggist, Wirtschaftsförderung des Kantons Glarus
aNRDr. Johannes Randegger, Novartis International AG, Basel, Chancen und Zukunftsperspektiven der Nanotechnologie aus der Sicht der Pharmaindustrie
Ständerat Dr. Fridolin Schiesser
Moderation: Fridolin Hauser

Participation
free

Programme
(in German)

Organisation
Glarnerische Staatsbürgerliche Gesellschaft and TA-SWISS

21.05.2007
Les citoyens et les nanotechnologies

Participation
free

Programme
(in French)

Organisation
Nanopublic and TA-SWISS

03.04.2007
Nanotechnology: Opportunities and risks for the environment

Volkshaus Zürich, Weisser Saal, 09.20 - 16.10

Programme (in German)
9h20 - 16h10 Volkshaus Zürich, Weisser Saal
Participation: CH 350.-, members of PUSCH Praktischer Umweltschutz Schweiz CHF 230.-
Documentation: Information brochure Know Your Nano!, Final report of publifocus project Public Reactions to Nanotechnology in Switzerland

20.03.2007
Panel discussion on nanotechnology

Programme
Participants
Andreas Bachmann, Ruth Genner, Hans Näf, Viola Vogel,
Introduction (in German): Sergio Bellucci, TA-SWISS
Moderator: Barbara Reye, science journalist, Tages-Anzeiger
19.00 - 20.30 Science City, ETH Hönggerberg, Bus 69 ab Bucheggplatz

In collaboration with Tages-Anzeiger and ETH Zurich.

28.02.2007
European policy seminar: The Policy Challenges of Eletronic Privacy

Programme
Final report ICT and Privacy in Europe: Experiences from technology assessment of ICT and Privacy in seven different European countries. Final report by the European Parliamentary Technology Assessment network (EPTA), October 2006
Flemish parliament, Hertogstraat 2, Brussel

11.12.06
Meeting for members of Parliaments and the media

Nanotechnologies – the people's view of risks and chances
Programme (in German and French only)
Speakers (slides in German and French only)
Fulvio Caccia, president of the TA-SWISS steering committee
Philipp Heitz, president of the advisory group
Michael Emmenegger, TA-SWISS, project supervisor
Torsten Fleischer, ITAS, Karlsruhe
Steffen Wengert, Federal Office of Public Health

Contacts

Supported by

Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur (ZHW)
Centre for Technology Assessment (TA-SWISS)

Persons participating

TA-SWISS Project Supervisors

Michael Emmenegger, TA-SWISS. e-mail
Anne Boesch, TA-SWISS. e-mail

Supervisory group

Prof. Philipp U. Heitz, Member of the TA-SWISS Steering Committee, Au/ZH (President of the support group)
Prof. Dr Ueli Aebi, Member of the TA-SWISS Steering Committee, structural biologist, NCCR Nanoscale Science, Biozentrum, University of Basel
Dr Sergio Bellucci, Managing Director, Centre for Technology Assessment (TA-SWISS), Berne
Dr Stefan Durrer, Department of Chemicals and Labour, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco), Berne/Zurich
Dr Thomas Epprecht, Risk Engineering Services, Swiss Re, Zurich
Prof. Dr Peter Gehr, Director, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Berne
Brigit Hofer, Economic Policy/Sustainability, COOP Switzerland, Basel
Prof. Dr Georg Karlaganis, Head of Substances, Soil, Biotechnology Division, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Berne
Dr Hans G. Kastenholz, Head of Innovation and Technical Analysis, Technology and Society Laboratory, Empa, St. Gallen
Alain Kaufmann, Member of TA-SWISS Steering Committee, Director of Interface Sciences - Société, University of Lausanne
Prof. Heinrich Kuhn, Head of Competence Centre for Safety and Risk Prevention (KSR), Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur (ZHW), Winterthur
Dr Monika Kurath, Scientist/PostDoc, Collegium Helveticum Federal Institute of Technology (FIT) Zurich and Programme for Scientific Research/Sociology at the University of Basel
Christa Markwalder Bär, FDP Member of the National Council, Burgdorf
Christian Pohl, network for transdisciplinarity in sciences and humanities (td-net), Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences (scnat), Berne
Dr Klaus Peter Rippe, Managing Director, Ethik im Diskurs GmbH, Zurich
Urs Spahr, Biological Safety Section, Biomedicine Division, Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Berne
Christof Studer, Industrial Chemicals Section, Substances, Soil, Biotechnology Division, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Berne
Barbara Vonarburg, Editorial Manager, “Wissen”, Tages-Anzeiger, Zurich
Josianne Walpen, Project Manager, Food/Cosmetics Division, Foundation for Consumer Protection, Berne
Steffen Wengert, Head of Commercial Materials Section, Chemicals Division, Consumer Protection Directorate, Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Berne

Project mandataries

Dr Herbert Cerutti, scientific journalist, editor of information brochure
Lucienne Rey , Texterey, recorder of publifocus events and editor of final report

Communication

Walter Grossenbacher-Mansuy, TA-SWISS. e-mail