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Apparently HRH Prince of Wales has jaws flapping in nanotech and science circles because he suggested that the almost total absence (5% of spending) of "environmental, social and ethical" research was bad. Moreover, unrestrained research in this uncharted sphere -- without due caution to offset the exhuberance of innovation and discover -- could lead to a "Thalidomide-type disaster." Story here: Prince Creates Big-Scale Debate over Small-Scale Technology.
Funny how in an otherwise positive address (based on what I've read), some in the field have latched on to the word "Thalidomide" very literally. I would suspect that HRH-POW meant it more literarily, in shorthand that would be readily, emotionally understandable.
Apparently, he succeeded. Perhaps not with the effect intended, but . . .
Posted by Grayson at July 13, 2004 07:21 AM