Washington,
DC – Calling on their colleagues to support a “revolution”
in scientific research, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and George
Allen (R-Va.) today introduced the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research
and Development Act, legislation to fund and coordinate accelerated
nanotechnology research in the United States. Nanotechnology, which
employs science on the atomic and molecular scales, is expected
to yield rapid advances in numerous areas including health care,
manufacturing, and agriculture.
“Nanotechnology has the capacity to start
no less than a revolution in a number of important fields –
medicine, manufacturing and information technology among them,”
said Wyden. “We’ve introduced this legislation to help
Americans reap the benefits of nanotechnology as soon as possible,
and to help our country stay at the forefront of scientific advancement
worldwide.”
In the next 10 years, nanotechnology could
become a trillion-dollar global industry. Nanotechnology products
are already on the mass market, most notably in the form of stain-resistant
clothing advertised by many manufacturers. However, experts estimate
that nanoparticles and nanodevices will eventually have great impact
on more serious levels, such as the treatment of disease, the improvement
and strengthening of traditional materials such as steel, and the
creation of smaller, faster electronic devices.
At his statewide economic summit in December
of 2002, Wyden committed to making Oregon a national center for
nanotechnology research and development. He intends to work with
Oregon universities and economic development agencies and the rest
of the Oregon congressional delegation to establish Oregon as a
leader in the field.
“Nanotechnology is the science -- and
soon to be the business -- of increasing the capacity of our technology
while reducing its size to the molecular level. I believe it can
also increase the vitality of Oregon’s economy,” said
Wyden. “I believe Oregon has the tools, the facilities and
the talent to emerge as a nanotechnology hub.”
The Wyden-Allen legislation creates a National
Nanotechnology Research Program to support long-term nanoscale research
and development, increase America’s competitiveness in nanoscale
technology, and promote effective education and training for the
next generation of nanotechnology researchers and professionals.
It also creates a Presidential National Nanotechnology Advisory
Panel and National Nanotechnology
Coordination Office, which would provide administrative
and technical support for the Advisory Panel and the Council. To
study the potential effects of nanotechnology, a new Center for
Societal, Ethical, Educational, Legal and Workforce Issues Related
to Nanotechnology would also be established.
Sens. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.), Evan
Bayh (D-Ind.), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.),
Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), and Barbara Mikulski
(D-Md.) are also co-sponsors of the Wyden-Allen bill. The Senators
expect the Commerce Committee to take up the bill for consideration
in the coming weeks. Similar legislation introduced by Wyden last
year was unanimously approved by the Commerce Committee.
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