Posted: August 5, 2008 |
Australia's first nanotechnology dialogue criticized as industry-biased |
(Nanowerk News) Australia's first ever attempt to involve members of the public in
development of nanotechnology policy is hopelessly compromised, Friends of
the Earth said today. The Queensland state government has invited in
industry representatives who have a financial interest in the outcomes and
shut out civil society critics. Yet the public "dialogue" is slated to
inform nanotechnology policy development in Queensland.
|
The Queensland "Nanodialogues", initiated this week, involves 12 members
of the public in "dialogue" with 8 nanotechnology scientists – some of
them employed by industry groups with a financial interest in the outcomes
of the dialogue. One social scientist has also been invited to
participate, but there is no representation from nanotechnology
stakeholders who have been critical of nanotechnology policy to date, eg
environment, health, civil liberties and social justice groups, unions or
ethicists.
|
Friends of the Earth emphasises that it will be extremely difficult for
"Nanodialogues" participants to develop informed recommendations for
nanotechnology research funding and policy priorities when they are
presented with only one, pro-nanotechnology, point of view.
|
Nanotechnology industry representatives are unlikely to draw
"Nanodialogues" participants‚ attention to recent findings that carbon
nanotubes present similar health risks to asbestos. Industry
representatives are similarly unlikely to tell participants about calls
from some of the world's poorest people for a moratorium on nanotechnology
in food and agriculture, because of their concern it will further threaten
their food security.
|
Friends of the Earth Australia strongly supports public participation in
nanotechnology policy development and decision making. But we are
concerned that the Queensland "Nanodialogues" are simply a public
relations exercise - a free ride for nanotechnology promoters to shore up
support for their industry.
|
If you have any thoughts or feedback about how genuine public
participation should take place, please leave a comment on our website at
http://nano.foe.org.au/node/260.
Better yet, Friends of the Earth Australia suggest, why not email Ms Desley Boyle, Queensland Minister for
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, whose department is funding
the "Nanodialogues", and let her know that you won't accept this biased
process: [email protected]
|