On the 5^th March 2008, the European Parliament was hosting a summit on nanotechnology, entitled Nanotechnology threat or opportunity? Who is really in charge of policy making in cutting edge technology? Central to the seminar was the introduction of the concept of a European Transparency Arena, using nanotechnology as a case study to demonstrate its proposed discussion and exploration tools, which aim to support the European Parliament in its decision making on issues with a high technological and scientific content.

According to a press release, seminar hosts MEPs Olle Schmidt and Anders Wijkman said: ‘Proponents envision revolutionised healthcare, consumer goods and construction industries. Opponents show nightmare scenarios of self replicating nano-scale robots and a new asbestos crisis.’

The seminar commenced with a presentation on Nanotechnologies' promises a new industrial revolution, given by Dr Steffi Friedrichs, Director of the Nanotechnology Industries Association. Pat Mooney, Executive Director of the ETC Group (Canada) subsequently repeated the ETC Group’s claim that There should be a nanotech moratorium.

Follow this link to download the full paper on the European Transparency Agenda The Institutionalised Transparency and Accountability Process for clarity in policy making.

(registered NIA Members can download the Meeting Note and additional documents from the secure 'Members Only'-area on the NIA website).