Center for Responsible Nanotechnology
Encyclopedia
Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN) is a non-profit
research
and advocacy
organization with a focus on molecular manufacturing
and its possible effects, both positive and negative. CRN is a modern, networked and virtual organization with a leadership team, a Board of Advisors, Special Associates, a 60+ member Global Task Force, a collection of more than 100 volunteers and 1250+ interested followers.
CRN's stated goal is the creation and implementation of wise, comprehensive, and balanced plans for responsible worldwide use of this transformative technology. Subgoals include:
The purpose is not to predict but to prepare, not to determine exactly when and how nanotechnology will enable disruptive molecular manufacturing, but to stimulate effective preparation for it, whenever and however it comes.
In August 2005, the organization created a task force
of 60+ international
experts from various fields to develop comprehensive recommendations for the safe
and responsible
use of nanotechnology. A series of eleven essays written by members of this CRN Task Force was published in March 2006 by the journal
Nanotechnology Perceptions. The Center has sometimes been criticized for concentrating too heavily on the dangers posed by nanotechnology.
CRN provides information to journalist
s, business leaders, policymakers
and the general public about the environmental
, humanitarian, economic, military, political, social, medical, and ethical implications of advanced nanotechnology
.
The organization is an affiliate of World Care, an international non-profit
501(c)(3) organization.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
and advocacy
Advocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
organization with a focus on molecular manufacturing
Molecular nanotechnology
Molecular nanotechnology is a technology based on the ability to build structures to complex, atomic specifications by means of mechanosynthesis. This is distinct from nanoscale materials...
and its possible effects, both positive and negative. CRN is a modern, networked and virtual organization with a leadership team, a Board of Advisors, Special Associates, a 60+ member Global Task Force, a collection of more than 100 volunteers and 1250+ interested followers.
CRN's stated goal is the creation and implementation of wise, comprehensive, and balanced plans for responsible worldwide use of this transformative technology. Subgoals include:
- Raise awareness of the benefits, the dangers, and the possibilities for responsible use of advanced nanotechnology
- Expedite a thorough examination of the environmental, humanitarian, economic, military, political, social, medical, and ethical implications of molecular manufacturing
- Assist in the creation and implementation of wise, comprehensive and balanced plans for responsible worldwide use of this transformative technology
The purpose is not to predict but to prepare, not to determine exactly when and how nanotechnology will enable disruptive molecular manufacturing, but to stimulate effective preparation for it, whenever and however it comes.
In August 2005, the organization created a task force
Task force
A task force is a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology...
of 60+ international
International
----International mostly means something that involves more than one country. The term international as a word means involvement of, interaction between or encompassing more than one nation, or generally beyond national boundaries...
experts from various fields to develop comprehensive recommendations for the safe
Public Safety
Public safety involves the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety of the general public from significant danger, injury/harm, or damage, such as crimes or disasters .-See also:* By nation...
and responsible
Social responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical ideology or theory that an entity, be it an organization or individual, has an obligation to act to benefit society at large. Social responsibility is a duty every individual or organization has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the economy and the...
use of nanotechnology. A series of eleven essays written by members of this CRN Task Force was published in March 2006 by the journal
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
Nanotechnology Perceptions. The Center has sometimes been criticized for concentrating too heavily on the dangers posed by nanotechnology.
CRN provides information to journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
s, business leaders, policymakers
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
and the general public about the environmental
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
, humanitarian, economic, military, political, social, medical, and ethical implications of advanced nanotechnology
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres...
.
The organization is an affiliate of World Care, an international non-profit
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
501(c)(3) organization.