Sep 6 2007
The Institute of Nanotechnology is organising a public engagement evening ‘Nanomedicine…hype? Or a real revolution in healthcare?’ on the 28th November at the Royal College of Surgeons of London. This free event offers an opportunity to the general public to share their thoughts with industrial leaders, nanotechnologists and politicians.
Nanotechnology has found applications in almost every industrial sector from golf balls to cancer treatment, scratch-free paints to dirt repellent trousers, and bicycles to supercomputers. Of all the potential applications of nanotechnology, nanomedicine - the application of nanotechnology to healthcare is poised to revolutionise medical treatments and therapies in areas such as imaging, faster diagnosis, drug delivery and tissue regeneration, as well as the development of new medical products. Analysts predict the demand for nanomedical products in US alone to reach $53 billion by 2011.
But while the potential benefits of nanomedicine are widely lauded, is there a downside to any of this? What about the risks of nanotechnology? Are there adequate controls in place? Regulation? Ethical issues? Can we afford it? These are all perfectly valid questions and if nanomedicine is to be successful they must be clearly and transparently addressed.
The debate aims to bring together the general public along with nanotechnologists, researchers, clinicians, industry, policy makers, regulators, trade associations, non-governmental organisations, media and other stakeholders under one roof to discuss and debate the potential applications of nanomedicine as well as the social, ethical and environmental risks.
Chaired by Geoff Watts, eminent writer and broadcaster on science and medicine and currently the presenter of the BBC Radio 4 ‘Leading Edge’ programme, the panel members who will lead the discussions include Dr. Doug Naysmith, MP, Bristol North West; Dr. Leonard Fass, Director of Academic Relations, GE Healthcare; Mr. Michael Lussier, General Manager, Volcano Corporation; Prof. Shervanthi Homer-Vanniasinkam, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Leeds General Infirmary, Clinical Sub-Dean, Leeds University Medical School and Dr. Marisa Papaluca Amati, Deputy Head of Sector, European Medicines Agency (EMEA).
In the interest of openness and public engagement this panel discussion and public debate, which will be held at the Royal College of Surgeons from 18.30hrs–20.30hrs on 28th November 2007, is free of charge and open to all. Places are limited and, therefore, early registration is recommended. For more information and to register please visit http://www.nano.org.uk/events/ionevents.htm or contact Tiju Joseph, [email protected], on +44(0)141 330 8734.
The event is organised in conjunction with the ‘Investing in Medical Nanotechnologies II’, conference and exhibition to be held at the Royal College of Surgeons on the 28th and 29th November 2007.