WHY DOES PRINCE CHARLES WANT TO HURT POOR PEOPLE?

A report published today on the Institute of Physics website Nanotechweb.org will say that Prince Charles’ claims about nanotechnology could widen the chasm between have and have-not countries and damage the emerging nanotechnology industry in the developing world. This new analysis comes from a leading bioethics think-tank, the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics and is the first-ever survey of nanotechnology research in developing countries.

Dr Peter Singer, Director of the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics and Dr Erin Court, the lead author of this report, argue that concerns over the legitimate risks of nanotechnology should be addressed through a new international process and not by resorting to a moratorium on research that promises vast improvement in the lives of five billion people in developing countries.

Dr Singer said: “Opposition from Prince Charles and pressure groups around the world should not be permitted to diminish the health, environmental and economic opportunities of the poor in Africa, Latin America and Asia.”

This report outlines for the first time the health, environmental and economic benefits for developing countries of nanotechnology (NT).

The report is here. Note that this is not the animal-rights Peter Singer. It’s the one who cares about human beings. . . .