Nanotechnology, Regulation of

Nanotechnology takes place at the scale of 1 to 100 nanometers, about the size of only several atoms or 1 biological molecule, such as a protein. Matter at this scale takes on novel properties, and humans have recently been able to use nanotech-nology for products and applications in many sectors of society. Nanotechnology might have large benefits to society, but it also presents risks and social, cultural, and ethical challenges. In this entry, issues regarding the oversight and regulation of nanotechnology are explored. Accurate, clear, and informative communication about nanotech-nology and its oversight is important for providing stakeholders and the public with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Nanotechnology has not been a big news item up until now and therefore is not very much ...