an email sent to GAO around June 2007...never responded to.

I have just read June 2007 Consumer Report(C.R.) article on nanotechnology entitled 'NANOtechnology-Untold promise, unknown risk' (pg40-45). The article is a sort of pros/cons expose on the emerging technology. My reason for this email is my concerns about the "unknown risk" of this promising technology. In particular, the lack of rigid government oversight-if you will- in guidelining a set of standards that are consumer/enviornment-conscious. The article states, among other things, that in the area of nanoingredients, "manufacturers seldom label products" indicating their presence. The article points out that the FDA in particular seems to be lagging in its oversight and regulartory capacity in regards to nanoingredients in products "that go directly onto or into the body". That in fact, the 2007 Government budget request for nanotech research included "nothing for the FDA". Space does not allow me to further detail the article (hopefully it will be read by the GAO powers that be) but suffice it to say that the paramount issue is Safety, first and foremost. Ironically in my search of your website, keyword nanotechnology led me to GAO-07-467SP. On page 16 of that report under 'Innovation and Change Management' were 2 chilling statements. One, that "attention to incentives" to the private sector is one of the importances of research and development. Two, that "rewards are going to those who can most quickly transform new ideas into useful technologies and other tools.". Which is what makes the C.R. article that much more timely because there seems to be little in the way, proportionately speaking, of risk/safety research, assessment, and regulation funding. Especially for those agencies like FDA, NIOSH, EPA, and Consumer Product Safety Commission. In light of technology's past histories with Nuclear energy and its radioactive waste, Fossil fuels and Global Warming, asbestos,etc,etc, I implore GAO, with its creed 'Accountability, Integrity, Reliability', to make those involved in this promising technology Accountable with having taken ALL the necessary risk assessments and research. As J.Clarence Davies, co-creator of EPA, is quoted in the C.R. article after being asked to analyze the sufficiency of current laws pertaining to risk management of nanotechnology, "Once nanotechnology materials get into the enviornment, it is probably too late for remedial measures." Let Not Hindsight Be 20/20.