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Proactionary Nano-Policy: Managing Massive Decisions for Tiny Technologies

Max More, Ph.D.

page 7 of 7

Proportionality
Regarding proportionality, if you are going to restrict the technology, you want to make sure the payoff is worth it. Regulation itself brings risks. With nanotechnology, we might worry especially about military and terrorist uses. Yet this is exactly where regulation is not going to help very much. No one is going to submit their nano-terrorist device to the FDA or any of the agencies for oversight of regulation. They are not going to show it to the United Nations.

It is also important to consider that if we establish some kind of global regulation by the traditional agencies, you could end up with a situation where the most restrictive policies are imposed on all of us.

Alternatives
There are many alternatives to restricting a technology that could be considered, such as developing industry standards, self-regulation, and transparency (score cards and report cards, similar to the Global Reporting Initiative). Pressure from “socially responsible investing” funds also can apply pressure as a type of regulation. All of these methods can incorporate the proactionary principle.

In summary, regulatory agencies, if involved, should use the proactionary principle, not the precautionary principle. Less harm will be done and more progress will be made.

References

Dr. Max More is an internationally acclaimed strategic futurist who writes, speaks, and organizes events about the fundamental challenges of emerging technologies. His work aims to improve our ability to anticipate, adapt to, and shape the future for the better. More co-founded and is Chairman of Extropy Institute, a diverse network of innovative thinkers committed to creating solutions to enduring human problems. He authored The Principles of Extropy, which form the core of a transhumanist perspective.

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