Georgia Institute of Technology

Although nanotechnology offers much hope, it also has dual-use potential that must be addressed. Past attempts to control unconventional weapons proliferation are instructive but inadequate. Reducing the risk from state-based misuse of nanotechnology for biological or chemical weapons will mean consideration of the highly transnational nature of nanotechnology research and development. Traditional and innovative new approaches to nonproliferation and counterproliferation are important policy elements to reduce the risk of misuse of nanotechnology. Although the United States and the international community are currently attempting to limit the threat of biotechnology, serious discussion and anticipation of the potential future threats of nanotechnology is needed now.