The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (GEE, a “neutral, pluralist and multidisciplinary advisory authority”) has presented the European Commission with its “opinion on the ethical aspects of nanomedicine”, commissioned by the Executive last November. The document states that the nanotechnologies applied to medical sciences are “full of possibilities for new diagnostic, curative and preventive methods, able to open promising fields for medicine”. In particular, the GEE considers that the fundamental aspect for the development of the sector consists in the “safety of nanomedical products” and in the “guarantee of an adequate assessment in terms of public health”: effectiveness of research and prevention of risks are “missions” of the competent European and national public institutions. With a view to promoting the necessary transparency vis-à-vis citizens, the Group proposes to conduct surveys to evaluate the public perception of the advantages and risks linked to the development of medical nanotechnologies, formulate models relating to their social impact, promote “interdisciplinary research on the ethical, legal and social implications of nanomedicine” and boost collaboration between the national Committees of the Ethics of Research. The European Union has allocated some 3.5 billion Euros for research on nanotechnologies for the period 2007-2013, of which 20% will be used to fund projects in the field of nanomedicine.
