J. Clarence Davies, formerly of the Environmental Protection Agency, has written and released a nanotechnology policy "roadmap" for the next White House Administration. The 28-page document outlines the immediate and long-term issues present with nanotechnology regulation and oversight.
Published by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, the report focuses on use of existing laws and regulations, but suggests that policy changes will be needed to account for long-term regulatory efforts. He cites specifically to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, and Consumer Product Safety Act as those statutes that need "radical revision" in order to adequately address nanotechnology concerns.
I tend to agree with Mr. Davies overall thoughts and conclusions that the fate of nanotechnology regulation (or the lack thereof) rests with the next President, and that significant shifts in policy or conventional thinking will be needed in certain circumstances to protect people and the environment. However, I am surprised at the abbreviated nature of the paper. Perhaps there is more detail coming from Mr. Davies in the future, and this is simply the first of many more lengthy policy and/or regulatory specific thoughts from him.
