Newsletter Signup
Where current and emerging technology trends meet.
TecTrendsInformation Sources, Inc.
  | About TecTrends | Email Signup | Contact Us
 Live Search:
Live Search | Articles | Companies | TecTerms | Products
  Loading TecTrends Live Search - please wait... 
View Noteworthy Articles      PRNewswire
 
Article

Title: Early review of nanotech's potential impacts could help us avoid...

Author: Bowen, Debra Article Type: Product Analysis
Source: Smalltimes, v4 n2 p33(1) Publication Date: Mar/Apr 2004
  ISSN: 1536-7673
URL of Publication: http://www.smalltimes.com

While people are loath to have government looking over their shoulders in terms of technological oversight, government has a role in making sure that people are not taken advantage where technology is concerned. There are many instances in which government can help regulate to everyone's interest and not hinder freedom in terms of enjoying technological innovations. Legal frameworks are needed to address social and ethical consequences of technological advances. Government ought to come into the scene much earlier than after an unintended consequence occurs following the use of technology. Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are a new technology that is being implemented by major retailers to replace barcodes as tagging tools. This technology is expected to save manufacturers and retailers millions of dollars by automating shipping and inventory processes. However, some privacy advocates fear that RIFD will be used to track people's movements and shopping behaviors. Furthermore, they fear that government and businesses will misuse RFID sensor and use them without people's knowledge or consent. This is where government would be most useful in regulating and making sure that such misuses or unintended consequences do not happen.

Products:
Government Regulations Nanotechnology

TecTerms:


[Get Copyright Permissions] Click here for copyright permissions!
Copyright 2004-2008 Information Sources Inc.
 


Home About TecTrends About Us Contact Us Privacy Statement Terms and Conditions

TecTrends | P.O. Box 8120 | Berkeley CA 94707 | (510) 525-6220 | Email: tectrends@tectrends.com
© 2006 INFORMATION SOURCES INC | All rights reserved.