Fw: RAPIDUS Notification

>
> CORDIS Database: NEWS
> Search name: FP6
> Search description: What's new in FP6
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> Experts examine the barriers to public acceptance of nanotechnologies
>
> Record Control Number : 21330
> Date : 2003-12-11
> Category : Miscellaneous
> General Information :
> A lack of definition, specific aims and containment were all
> pinpointed as reasons for public mistrust of nanotechnology by
> speakers at the EuroNanoForum in Trieste, Italy, on 10 December.
>
> Lobby groups critical of nanotechnology have already formed, and
> horror stories in the media about nano-robots getting inside human
> beings and taking over the world have not helped nanotechnology
> enthusiasts to argue their case.
>
> 'The average person is still trying to keep up with their role as
> measurer of all things and guardian of the world,' said Alfred
> Nordmann, from the University of South Carolina in the US. He added
> that nanotechnology has been talked up by scientists and
> non-scientists alike, who are unable to say what will be possible
> in the future.
>
> Unlike other technologies, 'nanotechnology is not geared towards
> well-defined social goals. It also seems to promise everything, but
> nothing in particular,' said Professor Nordmann. Promises include
> an end to all pain and suffering, and computer-like access to
> information through a chip implanted in the brain.
>
> The lack of specificity can be explained by the fact that
> nanotechnology can be applied to many scientific fields, from
> biotechnology to materials science and information technology. Any
> single explanation of the potential of nanotechnology therefore
> becomes problematic.
>
> For this reason, one should begin to talk about nanotechnologies,
> and not nanotechnology, agreed a number of speakers. And because
> there is more than one nanotechnology, there is more than one
> ethical implication, said Göran Hermeren, Professor of medical
> ethics at Sweden's Lund University. Accepting that the impacts of
> each nanotechnology will be different can help the public to assess
> the likely risks, he added, as could orienting discussions on
> nanotechnology towards political and social issues.
>
> While ignorance is seen by many as the reason for public concern,
> Bryan Wynne from Lancaster University in the UK rejected this
> argument: 'Public ignorance is not the cause of mistrust and
> scepticism, this has been proved by Eurobarometer surveys. The
> cause is what as seen as a denial by scientists of scientific
> ignorance.' The novel nature of nanotechnology means that there are
> many knowledge gaps, and the 'well-meaning but mistaken behaviour
> of institutions involved in nanotechnology' leads to doubts,
> elaborated Professor Wynne.
>
> Trust can also be lost when the results of risk evaluation
> assessments are not consistent. This is a danger, as different
> countries and sections of society evaluate risk differently. When
> conclusions vary, the 'illusion of objective risk assessment is
> lost,' said Professor Hermeren.
>
> While it is not unusual to hear of transparency being the key to
> societal understanding and acceptance of scientific research,
> Professor Hermeren stopped short of calling for this, saying that
> the passing on of all information to the public would lead to a
> situation where making a decision became impossible. 'The public
> should be told enough so that additional information would make no
> difference to their decisions. The idea is saturation,' he said.
>
> The session on 'societal aspects and communication' was concluded
> by Mihail Roco, coordinator of the US national nanotechnology
> initiative. He regretted the often polarised debate, particularly
> in the media, which is dominated by those with little knowledge. He
> therefore called for those with the knowledge to make their voices
> heard, and to encourage others to speak out.
>
> Text :
>
> Remarks :
>
> Data Source Provider : CORDIS News attendance at the EuroNanoForum in
Trieste, Italy
> Document Reference : Based on CORDIS News attendance at the EuroNanoForum
in Trieste, Italy
> Programme Acronym : FRAMEWORK 6C, FP6-STRUCTURING, FP6-INTEGRATING,
FP6-SOCIETY, FP6-NMP
> Subject Index Codes : Social Aspects, Other Technology, Scientific
Research, Evaluation
> Contact Person : For further information, please consult the following web
address:
> http://www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology/
>
> http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/industrial_technologies/index_en.html
> Related News : 21324
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> Competitive FP6 proposal writing workshop, Karlsruhe
>
> Record Control Number : 21334
> Date : 2003-12-11
> Category : Event
> General Information :
> The Training Centre (FTU) of Karlsruhe research centre is
> organising a workshop on how to write a competitive proposal for
> the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) in Karlsruhe, Germany, on 2
> March 2004.
>
> The aim of this one day workshop is to train research managers and
> administrators in writing professional and competitive proposals
> for FP6. The course will outline common problems in proposal
> writing and the success criteria for proposals. Tips will be
> provided on how to collect information, how to select strategic
> partners and how to avoid duplication.
>
> Topics covered will include:
> - background to FP6;
> - the research priorities and horizontal programmes;
> - the new instruments;
> - how proposal are evaluated;
> - selecting partners;
> - state of the art.
>
> Text :
>
> Remarks :
>
> Data Source Provider : Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Germany
> Document Reference : Based on an event announcement
> Programme Acronym : FRAMEWORK 6C
> Subject Index Codes : Scientific Research
> Contact Person : For further information, please contact:
> Rudolf Woeste
> E-mail: rudolf.woeste@ftu.fzk.de
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
Received on Fri Dec 12 08:22:30 2003