Title: NanoLogue Stakeholder Dialogue

Date and time: Monday 5 September 2005, 09.00 - 17.30

The Project
In its recently published Action Plan on Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies, the European Commission highlights the need to “respect ethical principles, integrate societal considerations into the R&D process at an early stage and encourage a dialogue with citizens.” (European Commission, 2005). The European Commissioned-funded project Nanologue addresses this demand. Led by the Wuppertal Institute, the Nanologue project brings together leading researchers, developers of NT-applications, businesses, and other stakeholders from across Europe to facilitate an international dialogue on the social, ethical and legal benefits as well as potential impacts of nanoscience and nanotechnologies (NT).

Based on an intensive literature research and expert consultations, potential ethical, legal and social aspects (ELSA) have been identified on a general level as well as for three specific NT-application areas (energy, food, medical diagnosis). Stakeholder workshops and interviews discussing these areas will contribute further to the positions identified and the outputs will be used to finally create three scenarios exploring future NT developments.

As well as informing the general public through media workshops, the Nanologue project aims to develop an easy to use and free-of-charge internet-based tool specifically addressing researchers and developers of NT-applications. The online-tool will facilitate the consideration of potentially critical ELSA for NT research and development projects at an early stage. For example, the tool is expected to help researchers applying for project funding to respond to requests for descriptions of societal implications of their projects and improve public acceptance of the research or development by considering ELSA right from the start. The findings of the project will also be used to inform political decision-makers, e.g. in the process of setting up research funds. For further information on Nanologue can be found at: www.nanologue.net.

Workshop and Interviews

Following the literature analysis, the Nanologue project aimed to identify the position of marketers, accommodators and users of nanotechnology with regard to social, ethical, and legal aspects (ELSA) of NT-applications by means of an individual telephone interview and a workshop. The interviews were held on the 5th September in Edinburgh as part of EuroNanoForum 2005 event, and together with the workshop discussed:

• The main findings of the Nanologue project so far.
• The key ethical, legal and social aspects of nanotechnology applications.
• Recommendations for the dialogue between Science, Civil Society, Business and the Consumer/Citizen.

If you have any further questions about the project, do not hesitate to contact: h.knowles@forumforthefuture.org.uk or +44 (0)207 324 3603 or Vicky Murray v.murray@forumforthefuture.org.uk +44 (0)207 324 3618.