NIRT: Nanotechnology in the Public Interest: Regulatory Challenges, Capacity, and Policy Recommendations: Problem: Citizens expect government to protect them from potentially harmful effects of new technologies, yet little attention has been paid to the effective capacity of individuals and agencies faced with this important task. Goal: Evaluate federal, state, and local capacity -- e.g., sufficiency in scientific expertise, legal authority, organizational design, and regulatory frameworks -- to address the policy challenges posed by nanoscale innovations and products, and offer recommendations to build requisite capacity as appropriate and feasible.Related outreach and education: Promote broader understanding of the policy implications of nanotechnology and emerging technologies among local and state public officials, public administration professionals and educators, journalists, and other leaders in the public and non-profit sectors. NSEC: Center for High-rate Nanomfg: Thrust 4 – Regulatory Assessment Problem: As nanotechnology moves rapidly from development to commercialization, a more comprehensive understanding of the production costs, environmental and occupational health risks, and broader societal impacts associated with nanomanufacturing processes is required. Goal:Goal: Address issues with direct implications for nanomanufacturing technologies under development at CHN, with special focus on economic development and regulatory issues in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Results will help to guide the development of a sustainable production system for nanomanufactured products. Related Outreach and Education: Develop and disseminate education materials, with particular focus on front-line laboratory researchers and technicians, K-12 science teachers, students in CHN related programs, and, through partnerships with the Boston Museum of Science/NISE Network. Note: CHN is a collaboration among Northeastern University, the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and the University of New Hampshire. CHN Thrust 4 Research includes other research not reported here, in areas such as exposure monitoring, economic environmental assessment, risk assessment. Overarching Projects 1.NIRT – Environmental Regulation Under Uncertainty (Bosso, lead PI): 1.NIRT – Environmental Regulation Under Uncertainty (Bosso, lead PI): addresses the question of how government can ensure effective and responsive environmental protection under conditions of rapid techn ological change, attendant lack of clarity on effects, information asymmetries, and, by extension, the greater direct role for business in regulatory outcome. 1.NIRT-- FDA Capacity (Bosso and Sandler): This project focuses on the challenges facing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as it expects to grapple with an array of new nano- enabled technologies, in particular human therapeutics, enhancements, sensors, drug delivery systems, and, even, cosmetics 3. NIRT--Capacity Building Project (Kay, lead PI): Case studies of previous instances where new technologies or their impacts required government to adapt with new or revised organizational features 4. CHN/NIRT--Patent Policy (Kay, lead PI): assess intellectual property issues as they relate to patent reform and rapid commercialization of nanotechnologies 5. CHN/NIRT--Ethical and Justice Issues (Sandler, lead PI): evaluate applications of nanotechnology on their likelihood to promote or compromise environmental values, such as ecological integrity, biodiversity, environmental justice 6. CHN--Application of Life-Cycle Analysis (Isaacs, lead PI): create methodologies to determine the economic feasibility of manufacturing in light of potential environmental consequences for scale-up of technologies. Focus on Massachusetts 1. CHN--Fostering the Massachusetts Nanotechnology Sector (Bosso, lead PI): Massachusetts leads in nanotechnology because of its ability to attract major federal funding, its vibrant entrepreneurial and venture capital sectors, and rich technology presence. To maintain its position, Massachusetts must: Explore feasibility of a state nanotechnology R&D fund aimed at sectors not covered by the MA life sciences initiative. Assess workforce needs and existing education opportunities in nanotechnology related fields and, support development of relevant training programs Encourage formation of a nanotechnology stakeholder network to facilitate commercially productive communication and exchange. 2. CHN/NIRT--MA Biotech Rules: Lessons for Nanotechnology (Bosso): Massachusetts recently streamlined its regulatory regime to address the needs of its biotechnology sector. This study explores the process for revision, key actors, results, and potential relevance for nanotechnology. 3. CHN/NIRT--MA response to environmental emergency: The case of perchlorate contamination on Cape Cod. 4. CHN/NIRT--Siting the Boston University Bio-lab: A case study of the controversy over siting a Level 4 contagious diseases laboratory in a predominately low income/minority area. 5. CHN/NIRT--Monitoring City of Cambridge rule-making on nanoparticles: Real-time observation as Cambridge adapts its rDNA reporting rules to nanoparticle research. 6. CHN/NIRT--The Massachusetts experience with toxics: Case study of the MA toxics use and reduction system 7. CHN--Adapting EHS Procedures (Isaacs, lead PI): Research on methods to measure and control nanoparticles exposure in CHN laboratories; establish best practices. NIRT: Nanotechnology in the Public Interest: Regulatory Challenges, Capacity, and Policy Recommendations National Science Foundation Funding is gratefully acknowledged for NIRT SES and NSEC Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing EEC Partnerships NSRG researchers enjoy unique opportunities to collaborate with colleagues in the NEU NSEC and IGERT, with state and local officials, the Museum of Science, and with NSEC partners in other area projects. Education and Outreach K-12 Science Teachers: CHN- sponsored workshops, University of New Hampshire Citizens, Journalists, Educators: Boston Museum of Science/NISE Network forums and programs Professional Associations: posters and presentations at meetings in public administration (NASPAA); political science (APSA); and engineering education (ASEE). Policymakers, Scholars, Journalists: Workshop--“ Policymakers, Scholars, Journalists: Workshop--“Nanotechnology and Public Policy: Basic Science, Applications, and Regulatory Implications” (80 attendees). Undergraduate Research positions for students in philosophy, political science, environmental studies, and engineering Graduate Research: Professional development for MPA and Ph.D. students in the social sciences and engineering Cooperative Education and Internship: e.g., full time 6-month coop position with the Environmental Law Institute in D.C. Content Rich Website: Bi-weekly NSRG e-newsletter Series on Science, Technology and Society: e.g., A. Nisbet, S. Jasanoff Courses: Science, Technology and Public Policy (grad and undergrad) Journalism Students: modules for JRN courses on how to cover issues of technological complexity IGERT: lectures in NEU Nanomedicine IGERT (PI Sridhar) seminars C. Bosso, J. Isaacs, W.D. Kay, R. Sandler, A. Busnaina NSEC: Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing: Thrust 4 - Regulatory Assessment Nanotechnology and Society Research Group