Science and Technology Innovation Program
Events
New Life, Old Bottles
In New Life, Old Bottles: Regulating First-Generation Products of Synthetic Biology, Michael Rodemeyer examines the benefits and drawbacks of using the existing U.S. regulatory framework for biotechnology to cover the new products and processes enabled by synthetic biology. The safety of early applications of synthetic biology may be adequately addressed by the existing regulatory framework for biotechnology, especially in contained laboratories and manufacturing facilities, according to the report. But further advances in this emerging field are likely to create significant challenges for U.S. government oversight.
Nanotechnology and Public Attitudes
A new study released by the Wilson Center's Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, a project created in partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts, reveals that while Americans welcome new potential life-saving and -enhancing applications promised by nanotechnology, they voice concern over its potential long-term human health and environmental effects and the ability of government and the private sectors to manage such risks.
Workshop Brings Together Scientists to Discuss Engineered Nanomaterials and Human Health Hazards
On April 6-7, 2006, the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Rice University, the International Council On Nanotechnology (ICON) and Environmental Defense co-sponsored a workshop on engineered nanomaterials and human health hazards.
Gaming Our Way to a Better Future
As today’s policy challenges become more complex, it has become clear that American media — online news, television, radio, newspapers, and magazines— are not up to the task of explaining the problems underlying them or providing
citizens with all the information they need to engage in public conversations about them. Democracy cannot function properly without those conversations. But one new medium - videogames — may well fill the gap.
Research Needs and Priorities Related to the Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanoscale Materials
Testimony by Andrew D. Maynard, Ph.D.Chief Science Advisor Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
New Game Lets American Public Be Budget Heroes
Lawmakers from both parties have said the country needs a national conversation about the national debt. At an event on Capitol Hill on July 13, they embraced the popular game Budget Hero as a way to jump start that discussion.
Consumers Talk Nano
What are the possible risks and benefits of nanotechnology and consumer products? In an effort to reach out to the American public and engage them in an important online conversation about the issue, the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is collaborating with Consumers Union – publishers of Consumer Reports magazine and Consumer Reports Online.
Connective Leaders
Jean Lipman-Blumen, Thornton F. Bradshaw Professor of Public Policy at the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management, Claremont Graduate University, and author of The Connective Edge: Leading in an Interdependent World and Hot Groups: Seeding Them, Feeding Them, and Using Them to Ignite Your Organization, co-written with Harold J. Leavitt. In this interview, Dr. Lipman-Blumen talks about connective leadership, hot groups, and the relationship between innovation and failure in organizations.
