To the Point
The Brave New World of Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology means manipulating atoms to make things that are a thousand times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Most Americans may never have heard of it, but it's already an important part of many consumer products. Cosmetics, stain-resistant fabrics, golf balls and computers all contain these manufactured components that are invisible to the human eye. Medical cures and pollution controls could be next, producing a one trillion-dollar industry by 2015--unless some unexpected crisis erodes public confidence. What are the benefits and possible risks of Nanotechnology? What about oversight and accountability? Making News: Supreme Court Upholds Oregon Assisted Suicide LawIn a 6-to-3 vote, with Chief Justice John Roberts dissenting, the US Supreme Court today upheld Oregon's Death with Dignity Law. Stephen Henderson, who reports on the court for Knight-Ridder newspapers, says the decision prohibiting the use of the Controlled Substances Act to impede assisted suicide is, in essence, a slap at executive assertions of power.Reporter's Notebook: Domestic Spying Increasingly CriticizedYesterday, in a speech sponsored by liberal and conservative groups, Al Gore said that President Bush "has been breaking the law, repeatedly and insistently." The former Vice President called for a special counsel to investigate domestic surveillance by the National Security Agency without a judicial warrant. Meantime, two civil rights groups have filed suit against the practice, and FBI agents say it may be a waste of time. That's according to today's New York Times in an article co-authored by Eric Lichtblau.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenNanotechnology means manipulating atoms to make things that are a thousand times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Most Americans may never have heard of it, but it's already an important part of many consumer products. Cosmetics, stain-resistant fabrics, golf balls and computers all contain these manufactured components that are invisible to the human eye. Medical cures and pollution controls could be next, producing a one trillion-dollar industry by 2015--unless some unexpected crisis erodes public confidence. What are the benefits and possible risks of Nanotechnology? What about oversight and accountability?
Supreme Court Upholds Oregon Assisted Suicide Law
In a 6-to-3 vote, with Chief Justice John Roberts dissenting, the US Supreme Court today upheld Oregon's Death with Dignity Law. Stephen Henderson, who reports on the court for Knight-Ridder newspapers, says the decision prohibiting the use of the Controlled Substances Act to impede assisted suicide is, in essence, a slap at executive assertions of power.
Domestic Spying Increasingly Criticized
Yesterday, in a speech sponsored by liberal and conservative groups, Al Gore said that President Bush "has been breaking the law, repeatedly and insistently." The former Vice President called for a special counsel to investigate domestic surveillance by the National Security Agency without a judicial warrant. Meantime, two civil rights groups have filed suit against the practice, and FBI agents say it may be a waste of time. That's according to today's New York Times in an article co-authored by Eric Lichtblau.
Gonzales v Oregon, US Supreme Court on
Oregon's Death with Dignity Act
National Nanotechnology Coordinating Office
PEN report on Government oversight of nanotechnology
Al Gore's remarks on restoring rule of law
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) files suit to stop domestic spying
Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) files suit over NSA domestic spying