I come across this very interesting paper from Maclurcan about nanotechnology discourse in the global south. Of a particular interest is his elaboration on the conscious debate of both ‘short-term’ and ‘long-term’ nanotechnology:
 

In the meantime, the debate about Southern engagement with nanotechnology has forged ahead, assuming common understandings about what nanotechnology is and what it is not, as well as the general irrelevance of definitional debates. This is potentially problematic, given the conflicting way that nanotechnology is framed in the literature relating to the technology’s impact on, and in, the South. At different times, Southern nanotechnology debates have consciously drawn on understandings that correlate with both ‘near-term’ and ‘advanced’ nanotechnology. Whilst most writing presents near-term nanotechnology as the mainstream, there are instances where advanced nanotechnology has also been presented as ‘the reality’ for the South. Bruns, for example, sees answers for global poverty through a future of accessible abundance based on the application of advanced nanotechnology [27]. Al'Afghani, on the other hand, focuses on the need for future environmental laws in the South to incorporate “mechanisms for licensing, supervision and control of emissions and disposal methods for both MNT [molecular nanotechnology] products and nanofactories” [28]. Furthermore, a 2003 briefing document for a United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Expert Group Meeting, predominantly attended by representatives from the Global South, refers to the ability for advanced nanotechnology to address medical, energy and environmental challenges via “…factories operating at the nanometer level, including nanoscale conveyor belts and robotic arms bringing molecular parts together precisely…” [29].

The bottomline of his paper is that how nanotechnology is framed will affect its regulation. Most debate has been focused on ‘near-term’ nanotechnology as opposed to ‘speculative’ (borrowing Maclurcan’s own words) nanotechnology.

As I have gathered mode knowledge on regulation, my perspective on license-management in molecular nanotechnology has changed. The more detailed explanation has to wait a bit however, since I am still preoccupied with water. 

Download the paper from SSRN (click here).

1. ITAR-TASS

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   MOSCOW, June 4 (Itar-Tass) -- A drat law authorising the creation of a nanotechnology corporation in Russia has been submitted to the State Duma.

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2. Meridian Institute Nanotechnology and Development News

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   A draft law has been submitted to the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, authorizing the creation of a state-run nanotechnology corporation that will “seek to implement scientific, technological and innovation policies, and facilitate the

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3. Nanotechnology Law Framework

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4. Nanotechnology, Privacy and Shifting Social Conventions

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   Nanotechnology promises (or perhaps threatens) to change the way we live. Like other novel technologies, nanotechnology will allow us to do new things, and so will present us with new choices. Importantly, nanotechnology may also influence the very values

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5. nanotechnology regulation

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   http://nanotechlaw.blogspot.com/2006/12/so-called-berkeley-nanotechnology.html (viewed 15/01/07). 44 DEFRA “Voluntary Reporting Scheme for engineered ...

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6. Workplace Exposure To Nanomaterials and The Question Of Will Nano Be The Next Asbestos

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   Workplace Exposure To Nanomaterials and The Question Of Will Nano Be The Next Asbestos Topics Covered Background Insurers Nanotechnology Safeguards Commercial Products Evidence Of Probable Harm Associated With Workplace Exposure To Nanomaterials Diseases

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7. Nanotoxicology at the University of Florida

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   Even those skilled in particle characterization face difficult challenges when faced with nanomaterials in the physiological environment. Schemes for dispersion such as changes in pH or the use of dispersion aids are difficult to implement in the body wi

   to nanotechnology+law nanotoxicity environmental+law ... saved by 1 other person ... on feb 07

8. Opinion on the ethical aspects of nanomedicine

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   What are the challenges for future laws and regulations? The challenges are primarily: - the risk evaluation for nanomedicine may not be adequate in all areas; - the implementation of risk evaluation measures should be carried out in a scientifically soun

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9. Growing nanotechnology problems: navigating the patent labyrinth

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   Nanowerk News) Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) belong to the most exciting nanomaterials discovered so far and the buzz associated with them has to do with their amazing properties. Depending on their structure, they can be metals or semiconductors. They exhibit

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10. Scientific Technology Options Assessment - STOA (Important links for eu nanotech law)

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    The social and political relevance of nanotechnology and its applications are beginning to crystallise. Citizens will be confronted with nanotechnology applications at work, as consumers, or through the possible effects on the environment, public health a

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11. Nanotechnology and Regulation within the framework of the Precautionary Principle

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    Some elements of the Precautionary Principle exist in different regulation approaches. The regulation of Chemicals especially the proposal of the REACH regulation as well as the regulation of pharmaceuticals are examples for a precautionary approach with

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12. Article on Intellectual Property - 12 JAN.pdf (application/pdf Object)

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    The challenges in the nanotechnology intellectual property arena are numerous. The battles have moved from

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13. Search

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    Nanotechnology and the United States National Plan for Research and Development in Support of Critical Infrastructure Protection Lisa Campbell Canadian Journal of Law and Technology Volume 5, Number 3, November 2006 December 29, 2006 TOC Harmonization of

    to nanotechnology+law nanotechnology+regulation ... saved by 3 other people ... on dec 30

14. 2006-12-05 Item 13 Manufactured Nanoparticle Health and Safety Disclosure.pdf (application/pdf Object)

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    AMENDING BERKELEY MUNICIPAL CODE (BMC) SECTION 15.12.040 TO ADD SUBSECTION I AND AMENDING BMC SECTION 15.12.050 TO ADD SUBSECTION C.7, REGARDING MANUFACTURED NANOPARTICLE HEALTH AND SAFETY DISCLOSURE BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Berkeley a

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15. Environmental Regulation of Nanotechnology : Some Preliminary ...

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    Environmental Regulation of Nanotechnology:. Some Preliminary Observations. by Glenn Harlan Reynolds. T. he relationship between new technologies and the en .

    to nanotechnology+law nanotechnology+regulation environmental+law ... on dec 28

16. Nanotechnology & Regulation

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    “Environmental Regulation of Nanotechnology: Some Preliminary ... conclusion, and a critical one, is that nanotechnology regulation is a process

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17. REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY IN PUBLIC HEALTH

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18. Regulations for Nanotechnology in Consumer Products

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19. globeandmail.com: The promise and perils of nanotechnology

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    to nanotechnology+law nanotechnology+regulation nanotoxicity, environmental+law ... on dec 23

20. Nanotech NIOSH to Issue Guidance for Employers

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    "The presence of an occupational health surveillance program – represented at the minimum level as a needs assessment – indicates that workplaces have taken appropriate steps in evaluating and preventing potential occupational exposures," Trout said l

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21. Nanotechnology Policy and Environmental Regulatory Issues

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    to nanotechnology+law environmental+law ... on dec 11

22. Reproductive Rights Blog: Liquid Condom Introduced in China

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    to nanosilver nanotechnology+law china condom health+law ... on dec 07

23. Chinese float liquid condom concept | The Register

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    to china design health product science sex toblog condom nanotechnology+law nanosilver ... saved by 23 other people ... on dec 07

24. The Volokh Conspiracy - Regulating Nanosilver:

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    to nanotechnology+law nanosilver environmental+law ... on dec 07

25. EPA Region 5: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

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26. Deciding the Future of Nanotechnologies: Legal Perspectives on ...

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    to nanotechnology+law nanotechnology+regulation ... on dec 07

27. Legal Lookout: Nanotechnology : EPA Considers How to Proceed

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28. EUROPA - Rapid - Press Releases

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    to nanotechnology+law nanotechnology+regulation risk eu+law ... on dec 04

29. REACH is not enough, new labelling method might be required

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    to nanotechnology+law nanotechnology+regulation nanotechnology nanotoxicity eu+lawreach chemical ... on dec 04

30. Section Nanotechnology Project - Nanotechnology Law - ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Law

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    aba's briefing paper in nanotech

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31. European Union Nanotechnology Law | Stanford Law School

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    to eu+law nanotechnology+law ... on nov 23

32. P6_TA-PROV(2006)0392

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    european parliament action plan on nanotech

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33. Nanotech the IP issues

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    For example, a paper from Lawrence Letham which highlights general legal issues relating to nanotech, a general IP trend on nanotech from Chemical and Engineering magazine, Nanotech patent application in Japan from D. Kanama, Nanotech patent trends by Kal

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34. Berube on Michael Taylor's analysis

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    Everyone knows the FDA is missing tools for regulating cosmetics like it does drugs. And everyone knows the FDA needs a bigger budget if we are going to ask it to treat all nanoproducts it regulates as "new" rejecting the bio-equivalence fast lane. We kno

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35. Nanotechnology under the Toxic Substances Control Act | Prevention, Pesticides and Toxics (OPPTS) | US EPA

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    to epa tsca environmental nanotechnology+law ... on oct 29

36. Connotea: msredsonyas's bookmarks for http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/index.htm

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37. FDA needs industry support on nanotechnology

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    to fda health+law nanotechnology+law ... on oct 10

38. Let practicality guide nanotechnology regulation

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39. Nanotech-Regulation.pdf (application/pdf-Objekt)

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40. Patenting Nanotechnology - an Overview of the Current Climate and Explanation of Classification 977

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41. The Journal of Philosophy, Science & Law - Nano-Conceptions

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42. OnPoint -- 03/01/2006 -- Nanotech: RFF's J. Clarence Davies explains the need for new nanotechnology law

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43. SSRN Electronic Library

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    ssrn page on nanotech

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44. SSRN-International Regulatory Regimes for Nanotechnology by Kenneth Abbott, Sandeep Gopalan, Gary Marchant, Douglas Sylvester

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45. Blawg Republic News Search: nanotechnology

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    to be reviewed and discussed on the blog

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46. WorldChanging: Tools, Models and Ideas for Building a Bright Green Future: Nanotechnology and the Developing World: The Regulatory Gap

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    regulatory gap

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47. SciDev.Net

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    regulatory gap in nanotech

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How many nanotech products are being manufactured and sold in Canada? What kind of emissions are being produced and released? What happens when nanomaterials enter the environment? Do they break down into other substances or are they persistent? Do they build up in the bodies of living organisms? What is the level of exposure of Canadians to nanomaterials? What are safe levels of exposure? What are the health effects of exposure to nanomaterials? What laws or regulations will ensure the safety of workers, consumers and the environment?

There are no answers to these questions. There has never been a debate in the House of Commons or even in a parliamentary committee about the policy implications of this new technology. As Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl has acknowledged, "none of us knows anything about nanotechnology."