Should Government Regulate Nanomaterials?

There was a recent report indicating that some nanoparticles could be as dangerous as asbestos. I am a pro nuke and certainly not one to worry about the sky falling because genetically modified food (I do wonder about drinking milk from those goats that have been modified to include spider thread in their milk).

Are we sure that these are things are safe or do we have a reasonable assurance that they are. These days everything seems to go through some kind of environmental impact study, many of which are probably a waste of time.

I have probably said nothing of any import but the questions should be asked.

The nanomaterial mentioned by The Curious One are carbon nanotubes that have been reported as carcinogenic.

I didn't read the report and don't know exactly in what terms is written and under what circumstances can be carbon nanotubes carcinogenic, but even if it's completely true, it doesn't invalidates nanotechnologies, just carbon nanotubes.

Nanotechnologies are so called just by the "scale size" and blaming it is like blaming technology (without the "nano" prefix).

This isn't the first thread on this matter, and I think the same as I posted, the problem is not the technologies, the problem is people who use it or develop it.

But knowing the politicians behaviour, be sure that in rather short time they will try to regulate it, even they know absolutely nothing about it. These are the times we're living, politicians short sighted just looking to stand in their throne at least until tomorrow.

Anyway, even I'm sure they shall "regulate" nanotechnologies, some research will be allowed in that field if it has a military application (reduce killing people cost to the range of nano-dollars?)

A couple of days ago, here in Spain was given the Prince of Asturias Award to some researchers that have fight against malaria illness. Do you know that the malaria have been growing since DDT was forbidden? And that 3 million people have died all around the world in this time because of that? This is just half the amount of Jews killed by Nazism but nobody are claiming for such an "half holocaust"

As I understand it O2 is a nanomaterial, so is H2O, CO2 in fact all atoms and a lot of molecules can be described as nanomaterials. King Canute or Cnut famously demonstrated the effects Government could have on nanomaterials when his courtiers claimed he was all powerful, and he took his throne down to the beach and commanded the tide to stop coming in. Neither the nanomaterials, H2O, nor gravity, paid the least heed. A simple, clear scientific demonstration, taught to every UK school child (of my antiquated generation), and forgotten by every single politician of the same generation.

Maybe if we passed nano laws, with nano punishments to regulate nano materials it would be appropriate, and nano brained politicians would be happy.

Simon driver of a nano horse see avatar.