Today I'm reporting from the University Club of Chicago, site of the 2006 Nano & Bio in Society conference put on by the Center on Nanotechnology and Society. The focus of the conference was "nanotechnology in society's context", with an emphasis on the ethical implications of the technology.

One of the many interesting presentations was by Lawrence Busch, University Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Director of the Institute for Agricultural Standards at Michigan State University.

Busch observed that evaluating and managing the risks of nanotechnology may call for a new approach to risk assessment and management because nanotech involves quantum properties where risks are poorly defined and understood.

On the sociological front, Busch noted that people are more accepting of risks they voluntarily assume (like driving), whereas even small risks are often rejected if imposed by others. Nanotechnology, he said, is likely to involve many imposed risks. That's because current regulations allow nanoparticles even in food without notice to the consumer, which could lead to a "You didn't tell me it had nano in it!" backlash if problems occur.

Sean Murdock, Executive Director of the Nanobusiness Alliance, noted that the risks are really with specific products and processes, not nanotechnology in the abstract.

He also reminded the audience that specific applications make a difference in risk management. Biotechnology for pharmaceuticals, Murdock said, saw little public resistance because its value proposition is so high (offering the hope of a longer, better life), while GMO foods faced considerable opposition because people didn't see any value in GMO foods ("Why would I want GMOs in my food?"), just risks.

Murdock and many other presenters expect that nanotechnology, whatever its risks, may avoid some of the pitfalls of earlier technologies (like GMOs) because there seems to be more discussion of its social, ethical and environmental implications early in its development. This conference delivered on that promise.