Commercial and military funding could jeopardise benefits of nanotechnology, argues BA award winner
For Immediate Release
14 September 2004
Alexis Vlandas, a PhD student from the Department of Materials at the University of Oxford, has won this year's perspectives poster competition at the BA Festival of Science, expressing his concerns over research into nanotechnology.
“Nanotechnology has the potential to create new technologies which could alter the way our society functions,” says Alexis. “Recent advances combining nanotechnology and biology hold the promise of amazing progress, such as in restoring vision to blind people.”
However, warns Alexis, while legitimate societal concerns on the impact and uses of nanotechnology are starting to be answered by the scientific community, two areas may jeopardise the benefits of nanotechnology: commercial ownership of research and military funding.
“Research conducted by private companies is not always peer-reviewed and processes and techniques are often withheld from public scrutiny,” he says. “As a result, it is harder to thoroughly assess the risks new products may pose. Military secrecy poses another risk as the aim of the military is to turn into weapons any new discovery that is made. Governments and the general public have to ensure that we have control over which applications are developed.”
Perspectives – a poster session with a difference – aimed to make research students consider the social implications of their technology. They presented their work at the BA Festival of Science at the University of Exeter from 7-9 September 2004.
“It is important that students at all stages of university consider the social implications of their work,” says Jill Nelson, Director of Programmes at the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science). “The Perspectives competition was created to challenge young scientists to focus on the broader impact of their research. Alexis communicated the social aspects of his work very clearly and thoroughly, and greatly impressed the judges.”
Perspectives is a BA initiative, funded by the EPSRC and the MRC.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Craig Brierley, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4947
Email: craig.brierley@the-ba.net
Note for picture editors
Images of Alexis at the Festival can be obtained from the BA Press Office.
Note for editors
1. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation dedicated to connecting science with people, so that science and its applications become accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science and technology and their implications. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of Science, National Science Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.
2. EPSRC and MRC scientists, at the beginning of their career, were invited to exploring the social and ethical implications of their research. Twenty-one scientists exhibited their poster at this year’s BA Festival of Science. The winner received £500 prize money and had the opportunity to give a press conference at the Festival. Five runners-up received £250. The BA organised workshops to assist the finalists in the preparation of their poster. For further information, please visit www.the-ba.net/perspectives.
14 September 2004
Alexis Vlandas, a PhD student from the Department of Materials at the University of Oxford, has won this year's perspectives poster competition at the BA Festival of Science, expressing his concerns over research into nanotechnology.
“Nanotechnology has the potential to create new technologies which could alter the way our society functions,” says Alexis. “Recent advances combining nanotechnology and biology hold the promise of amazing progress, such as in restoring vision to blind people.”
However, warns Alexis, while legitimate societal concerns on the impact and uses of nanotechnology are starting to be answered by the scientific community, two areas may jeopardise the benefits of nanotechnology: commercial ownership of research and military funding.
“Research conducted by private companies is not always peer-reviewed and processes and techniques are often withheld from public scrutiny,” he says. “As a result, it is harder to thoroughly assess the risks new products may pose. Military secrecy poses another risk as the aim of the military is to turn into weapons any new discovery that is made. Governments and the general public have to ensure that we have control over which applications are developed.”
Perspectives – a poster session with a difference – aimed to make research students consider the social implications of their technology. They presented their work at the BA Festival of Science at the University of Exeter from 7-9 September 2004.
“It is important that students at all stages of university consider the social implications of their work,” says Jill Nelson, Director of Programmes at the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science). “The Perspectives competition was created to challenge young scientists to focus on the broader impact of their research. Alexis communicated the social aspects of his work very clearly and thoroughly, and greatly impressed the judges.”
Perspectives is a BA initiative, funded by the EPSRC and the MRC.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Craig Brierley, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4947
Email: craig.brierley@the-ba.net
Note for picture editors
Images of Alexis at the Festival can be obtained from the BA Press Office.
Note for editors
1. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation dedicated to connecting science with people, so that science and its applications become accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science and technology and their implications. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of Science, National Science Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.
2. EPSRC and MRC scientists, at the beginning of their career, were invited to exploring the social and ethical implications of their research. Twenty-one scientists exhibited their poster at this year’s BA Festival of Science. The winner received £500 prize money and had the opportunity to give a press conference at the Festival. Five runners-up received £250. The BA organised workshops to assist the finalists in the preparation of their poster. For further information, please visit www.the-ba.net/perspectives.
