About Mike Treder Expertise My specialty is the societal and environmental implications of advanced nanotechnology. I can help people to better understand the implications of molecular manufacturing -- building products "from the bottom up," and to focus on the real risks and benefits of the technology.
Experience I am a professional writer, speaker, and activist with a background in technology and communications company management. In 2002, I co-founded the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN), a non-profit think tank. CRN promotes public awareness and education, and the crafting of effective policy to maximize benefits and reduce dangers. I am the executive director of CRN.
Organizations - Research Fellow, Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies
- Advisory Board, Global Risks Council
- Consultant, Future Technologies Advisory Group
- Editorial Advisory Board, Nanotech Briefs
- Consultant, AC/UNU Millennium Project
Publications The Futurist (magazine)
The Scientific Conquest of Death (book chapter)
Future Brief (online journal)
Expert: Mike Treder Date: 12/12/2005 Subject: nanotechnology
Question What are the moral issues of nanotechnology?
Answer "Moral" is a loaded word, one that has different meanings for people depending upon their specific culture or belief system. So, I rarely speak about moral issues, but I often do write and talk about ethical issues.
For example:
- What are the acceptable limits of nanotechnology use that can be imposed to prevent dangerous concentrations of power in nations, groups, or persons?
- How much can individual freedom be curtailed before the solution becomes worse than the problem?
- How can any group or organization be given power to globally regulate the use of nanotechnology without also giving that group the power to dominate the world?
- What efforts should be made, if any, to assure that the opportunity for unprecedented abundance is made available to all?
- If nanotechnology and bioengineering enable extreme augmentation of humans, at what point do transformed individuals cease being human?
These are the types of questions that must be addressed.
