What Are the Warning Signs That We Should Be Looking For?

Nanotechnologies, as highlighted by this volume, are already ubiquitous in nature. Current and future applications of the technology are expected to lead to substantial societal and environmental benefits. For governments, investment in nanotechnologies, and indeed other emerging technologies, is seen as fundamental for driving the innovation agenda and shifting to a high-tech economy. But, as history clearly illustrates, technological innovations do not come in neat packages. Uncertainties and unintended consequences often accompany their transition from the laboratory into the marketplace. The aim of this chapter is to set the scene, and raise key questions, for the following 14 chapters. Some questions shall be answered, others not. And as the reader moves from chapter to chapter, we challenge you to consider whether we learnt the lessons of past "wonder technologies" and "wonder materials," such as asbestos, or are we destined to repeat the mistakes of our predecessors?