A Little Insurance Problem for Nanotech
Several recent research studies have highlighted the uncertainties about the health and environmental risks associated with nanotechnology. Now the insurance industry is taking notice of those uncertainties: major Swiss reinsurer (insurance for the insurance companies) Swiss Re has issued a report suggesting that insurance companies may want to take a second look at covering products manufactured using nanotechnology until more is known about any possible side effects.
The recommendation is in line with Europe’s traditional “wait and see” approach regarding the adoption of potentially risky new technologies (genetically modified crops, anyone?) versus the headlong rush into new fields more typical in the U.S. As Swiss Re points out in an analysis on their website, “The insurance industry is concerned because scientific evaluations of potential risks for human health and the environment are few and remain inconclusive.”
The company isn’t looking to stymie progress in the field, though; the report goes on to say, “The only way to prevent a polarized debate about nanotechnology, which may slow down future research and economic growth in this field, is to find a common approach to lessen the uncertainty and to provide some answers for pressing questions concerning potential nanotoxicity and pollution issues.” Good advice for anyone in the field, scientist, businessperson, or insurer.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
Large language models can do jaw-dropping things. But nobody knows exactly why.
And that's a problem. Figuring it out is one of the biggest scientific puzzles of our time and a crucial step towards controlling more powerful future models.
How scientists traced a mysterious covid case back to six toilets
When wastewater surveillance turns into a hunt for a single infected individual, the ethics get tricky.
The problem with plug-in hybrids? Their drivers.
Plug-in hybrids are often sold as a transition to EVs, but new data from Europe shows we’re still underestimating the emissions they produce.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.