The Brave New World of Nanotechnology

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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?
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Gonzales v Oregon, US Supreme Court on

Oregon's Death with Dignity Act

Controlled Substances Act

Cambrios

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

Lichtblau's article on NSA, FBI

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney