Nanotechnology, which involves the manipulation of matter at the level of individual atoms and molecules, promises to revolutionize many aspects of human society. At the very least, it can be expected to drastically reduce energy consumption, to dramatically advance medicine's ability to cure and prevent disease, and to significantly increase the precision and effectiveness of military devices and weapons.

The dramatic capabilities of nanotechnology are also likely to lead to calls for regulation or perhaps even prohibition. This paper examines three possible regulatory futures for nanotechnology: prohibition, limitation to military applications, and modest regulation with an emphasis on civilian research.

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