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修复，但纳米材料对生物和环境的许多影响还没有被很好地了解。医疗创新包括改善药物输送，减少副作用，通过纳米催化节省能源，使化学反应能够在更低的温度下进行，以及太阳能技术的进步，以更有效地将光转化为热和电，以及可以选择性地捕获和去除环境污染物的纳米颗粒。 这项研究项目将审查澳大利亚在开发新应用方面的纳米技术研究趋势和优先事项，以及监管当局如何解决社区对引入新技术的保障措施的关切。这项研究将考虑到对新产品和保障措施的国际研究，并以澳大利亚最近的研究成果为基础，例如2006年4月澳大利亚国家科学院论坛关于澳大利亚纳米技术发展的环境、社会、法律和伦理方面的报告，以及卫生当局的研究。该项目将根据不同的应用情况，为评估纳米技术的风险制定适当的标准，以确保公众对正在处理的健康、安全和环境方面的问题有信心。这项工作旨在考虑到最近关于纳米粒子的工作，因为早期的报告是推测而不是基于证据的。 纳米技术是一门新兴科学，将在专业制定的安全指南内实现这一点，并将为早期采用者带来经济和社会利益。2005年3月提交给首相科学、工程和创新委员会的报告称，未来十年，纳米技术可能会

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