Researchers in the new field of synthetic biology have pledged to develop better tools to identify anyone trying to order the DNA needed to make deadly pathogens. But they decided against adopting a controversial code of conduct intended to prevent their technologies being used to make new bioweapons.
Ray Kurzweil proposes a strategy for dealing with the dangers from Genetic Engineering, Nanotechnology, and Artificial Intelligence. The strategy includes "a streamlined regulatory process, a global program of monitoring for unknown or evolving biological pathogens, temporary moratoriums, raising public awareness, international cooperation, software reconnaissance, and fostering values of liberty, tolerance, and respect for knowledge and diversity."
The author surveys an "upcoming series of academic conferences will attempt to explore whether and how nanotechnology can address the principles of green chemistry and green engineering."
WorldChanging.org has a lengthy interview with Chris Phoenix and Mike Treder of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, a non-profit group helping to make sure molecular manufacturing is developed as safely as possible. In the article they talk about their policy task force (which includes folks like Ray Kurzweil, David Brin, and Jaron Lanier), the risks and benefits of nanofactories, and why open source is so important to the responsible development of nanotechnology.
A new report from the United Nations University's Millennium Project warns that many people still do not appreciate how fast science and technology (S&T) will change over the next 25 years, and given this rapid development along several different fronts, the possibility of technology growing beyond human control must now be taken seriously.
Jordan Pollack argues that the ethical questions surrounding robotics -- should robots carry weapons, how closely should humans and robots be integrated, etc. -- should receive much more attention now before the robot revolution hits.
Scientists are calling for a public debate into nanotechnology to dispel fears about the new science and prevent it being labelled as "another GM".
First it was "gray goo," the threat of self-replicating machines populating the planet. Now an environmental think tank is raising the specter of "green goo," where biology is used to create new materials and new artificial life forms.
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Discussion of the feasibility of implementing Asimov's "Three Rules of Robots" to prevent a robotic takeover.
Nanotechnology -- the science of materials that are atoms or molecules long -- has the potential to transform the world we live in, making it more interactive, safer and healthier, he said. But the technology also must be watched carefully to make sure it does no harm.