Safety and Risks of Nanotechnology
Meeting of Swiss Scientists

April 20 and 21, 2004
Lucerne, Switzerland

	Motivation Nanotechnology became omnipresent in the past few years and penetrates almost all aspects of science, research and technology. On closer inspection, nanotechnology seems to promise everything, but nothing in particular. This leaves a biased opinion in science and society towards nano- technology about facts and fiction, and, moreover, benefits and risks. The research of risks of nanotechnology is only at an early stage and coordination of these research efforts is crucial, but still rudimentary. In this respect, it is in the responsibility of the scientific community to encounter the inherent risks of the research in this new field, and to communicate with one language in a frank and honest manner to the society. The purpose of this meeting with Swiss scientists is to gather information about the state of the art, and to work on the requirements to meet the new challenges of nanotechnology on a Swiss level.

• Welcome and Introduction

• Plenary lectures

• Workshops

• Participants

• Conclusion and next steps