In November 2007, Which? commissioned a short survey of 2,091 members of the public which highlighted low levels of awareness of nanotechnologies and how they are being used – 61% of adults had not heard of the term ‘nanotechnology’. Following on from this, we undertook an additional research project with consumers – our Citizens’ Panel on Nanotechnologies.

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Complementing the IOM's SAFENANO Information Service and Community Portal, SAFENANO Scientific Services will provide companies operating in the nanotechnology industry with a multidisciplinary range of solutions to ensure they can offer employees a safe and healthy working environment and end products that are safe for customers. The development of nanotechnology is expected to drive major advances in medicine, drug discovery, security and defence. At a scale 10,000 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair, nanoparticles have unique properties that hold promise for the fabrication and assembly of ground-breaking new products in many industry sectors. However, there is currently little known about the long term consequences of working with nanomaterials.

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On October 25-26 2007, the European Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO) held in Brussels its first nanotechnology safety seminar, titled: "1st Annual Nanotechnology Safety for Success Dialogue: the Food, Consumer, and Health Policy Perspective".

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This month, the new European ETHICSCHOOL project has started, in which summerschools will be organized on Ethics of Emerging Technologies in the summer of 2008. Currently, the European Commission is soliciting ideas in an open consultation on a code of conduct for nanotechnology research in Europe. They intend to publish this code of conduct end of 2007. Subsequently, researchers, industrialists and other stakeholders will have to discuss it further and implement it in their work. The EU funded ETHICSCHOOL project presents an ideal opportunity for disseminating the EU code, by organizing two summerschools on ethics of nanotechnology and converging technologies, developing e-learning tools for use in higher education curricula and publishing draft codes of conduct developed during the summerschools.

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Released on 6th September 2007, the report summarises actions taken by the European Commission and progress made during 2005-2007 in eight areas:

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s Nanotechnology Task Force 25 July 2007 released a report that recommends the agency consider developing guidance and taking other steps to address the benefits and risks of drugs and medical devices using nanotechnology.

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This consultation launched on 18/07/2007 will provide input for a Recommendation to the Member States on a possible Code of Conduct for this emerging area of science, which the European Commission will put forward later this year.

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If you have ever wondered how a real science project operates and wanted to see what it is like working in a research lab, then the nano2hybrids project should fulfil your curiosity-driven appetite. Over the next three years, the scientists involved in the EU-funded nano2hybrids project will be breaking new ground in the fields of chemistry and communication. As its main form of outreach, the researchers will unravel the progress of their research on a daily and monthly basis by posting video diaries of their trials and tribulations on their website and on the popular video-sharing website, YouTube. In this way, the consortium of 15 scientists will show the general public what science research is really like and maybe inspire a new, younger generation to choose a career in science.

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This is a one-week, intensive training course for all those with an interest in nanotechnology and its public communication and ethical implications. The course consists of an alternating programme of expert lectures, case studies, media training, role play, group discussions and debate.

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A computer game development stduio has partnered with global nanotechnology consultancy Cientifica to develop an interactive 3D learning game based on nanotechnology. Aimed at 12-18 year olds, NanoWars is an engaging learning experience which educates players about basic concepts in nanoscience through real world practical applications from microelectronics to drug delivery. It will be available from its June 2007 launch through download for the PC.

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