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Federal nanotech confusion spreads to California - Michael Crichton mistaken for Richard Feynman
Palo Alto, CA. January 20th, 2004
A report released today
in Sacramento indicates that
U.S. federal confusion over nanotechnology's
original goal has spread to the state of
California, where the concept originated. The
report, "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology:
Opportunities and Challenges in California,"
was released today at a meeting of the state's
Joint Committee on "Preparing California for
the 21st Century."
Christine Peterson, president of the
California-based Foresight Institute, addressed
the Committee meeting: "The original goal for
nanotechnology -- systems of molecular
machines, building cleanly with atom-by-atom
precision, as described by Nobel physicist
Richard Feynman -- is entirely absent from the
report. His name does not even appear.
Instead, the concept of molecular machines
appears only in the form of 'plagues of self-
replicating nanobots,' as in Michael Crichton's thriller Prey.
The environmental benefits of
molecular manufacturing may be needlessly
delayed by this confusion." Foresight is the
leading public interest group in
nanotechnology.
Ray Kurzweil, a National Medal of Technology
winner who serves on Foresight's Board of
Advisors, commented: "While the report has its
visionary elements -- such as projecting
'intracellular intelligent machines' within 15
years -- the omission of molecular machine
systems is extremely disappointing and, if not
corrected, may contribute to the state losing
its natural lead in this area."
Prof. Ralph Merkle, a winner of the Foresight
Institute Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology and
current chair of the Prize Committee, stated,
"This confusion was distressing enough when it
first appeared in Washington, but it is far
more so in California, where Feynman set the
goal in 1959 at Caltech. It's true that
Caltech and Hollywood - where Michael Crichton
thriller films are made -- are not far apart
geographically, but Californians should know
the difference."
Building with atomic precision using molecular
machine systems, also known as molecular
manufacturing, is seen as a key technology for
the environment, medicine, and defense. "This
proposed technology -- the 'nanofactory' - is
our best hope for ending chemical pollution as
we know it today," said Peterson. "California's
strengths in design, systems engineering, and
software -- combined with its strong interest
in restoring the natural environment -- give it
an edge in this area. The state's proposed
Nanotechnology Research and Workforce Advisory
Council should include molecular manufacturing
as a major focus."
About Foresight Institute
Foresight Institute is the leading public interest organization
involved in nanotechnology and emerging technologies.
Formed in 1986 by K. Eric Drexler and Christine Peterson,
Foresight dedicates itself to providing education,
information, and networking support on the
topic of molecular nanotechnology and molecular manufacturing.
The organization's goal is to guide emerging technologies
to improve the human condition and
enhance critical discussion, thus improving
public and private policy decisions.
Contact:
Judy Conner
Public Service Communications Manager
Foresight Institute, Preparing for nanotechnology
judy@foresight.org
Tel. 650.917.1122
Fax 650.917.1123
www.foresight.org
Foresight Institute
P.O. Box 61058,
Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
tel +1 650 917 1122
fax +1 650 917 1123
foresight@foresight.org.
Copyright Foresight Institute
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