Nanotechnology: Ensuring the Benefits and Managing the Risks

纳米技术的发展有可能在许多领域取得重大进展，包括医学，能源效率的提高和环境整治，但纳米材料对生物体和环境的许多影响还没有得到很好的理解。 医疗创新包括改善药物输送，减少副作用，通过纳米催化实现节能，使化学反应在较低温度下进行，以及太阳能技术的进步，用于捕获光以更有效地转换为热和电，以及纳米颗粒可以选择性地捕获和去除环境污染物。 该研究项目将研究澳大利亚纳米技术研究的趋势和优先事项，以开发新的应用，以及监管机构如何解决社区对引进新技术的保障措施的关注。 这项研究将考虑到国际上对新产品和保障措施的研究，并以澳大利亚最近的研究结果为基础，如澳大利亚纳米技术发展的环境、社会、法律的和伦理问题国家科学院论坛2006年4月的报告，以及卫生当局的研究。 该项目将针对不同的应用情况，制定适当的标准，评估纳米技术的风险，以确保公众对健康、安全和环境方面的问题有信心。 这项工作的目的是考虑到最近的纳米粒子工作，因为早期的报告是推测性的，而不是基于证据的。 纳米技术是一门新兴的科学，它将为早期采用者带来经济和社区利益，这些早期采用者可以在专业开发的安全指南内实现这一目标。 2005年3月提交给首相科学、工程和创新理事会的报告指出，“在未来十年，

Nanotechnology developments have the potential for significant advances in many fields including medicine, energy efficiency improvements and environmental remediation, but many of the effects of nanomaterials on living organisms and the environment are not well understood. The medical innovations include improved drug delivery with reduced side effects, energy savings through nanocatalysis which enable chemical reactions at lower temperatures, as well as advances in solar technologies for capturing light for more efficient conversion to heat and electricity, and nanoparticles which can selectively trap and remove environmental pollutants. This research project will examine nanotechnology research trends and priorities in Australia in developing new applications, and how regulatory authorities are addressing community concerns about the safeguards in place for the introduction of a new technology. The research will take into consideration international research into new products and safeguards, and build on the findings of recent Australian studies, such as the report of April 2006 by the National Academies Forum into Environmental, Social, Legal and Ethical Aspects of the Development of Nanotechnologies in Australia, and studies by health authorities. The project will develop appropriate criteria for assessment of nanotechnology risks on a case by case basis for different applications to ensure public confidence that the health, safety and environmental aspects are being addressed. This work is designed to take into consideration the more recent work on nanoparticles since the earlier reports were speculative rather than evidence-based. Nanotechnology is an emerging science and will return economic and community benefits to the early adopters who can achieve this within expertly developed safety guidelines. The March 2005 report to the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council states that ""nanotechnology could, over the next decade, be