IS NANOTECHNOLOGY a word that strikes fear into your heart? After 2003, you could almost be forgiven for quaking in terror. Nanobots and nanoparticles took over the papers in a spate of scare stories that even caught the attention of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne.
New Scientist sent me to investigate the source of the stories. I would like to report that I infiltrated a secret meeting of activists in Brussels. But the truth is they invited me. In June the Canadian environmental group ETC, which was spearheading the anti-nanotech movement, ran a conference at the European Parliament.…
