Gold nanoparticles can be used in medical diagnostic devices, such as pregnancy tests
Image by Mike Thomas

Teenagers in a Bristol school joined Dr Annela Seddon and a group of Bristol PhD students in a Europe-wide debate about the ethical, social and legal questions associated with nanoscience on Tuesday 20 March.

The debate featured a group of Bristol University PhD students from the Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials (BCFN), in a bid to help form an ethical code for nanotechnology looking at privacy issues, acceptance, human health, access, liability, regulation and control.

Pupils in Years 10 and 11 at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School shared their thoughts after learning about nanotechnology as part of an on-going partnership with the University.

The Nanochannels project is funded by the European Commission and involves 20 teachers from eight countries across the continent, each engaging students through the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and live debates. The Guardian newspaper is a partner in the project and is publishing articles on its Nanotechnology World microsite.

Nanochannels in the news

Find out more at
Pupils inform debate on ethics of nanotechnology - this is Bristol/Bristol Evening Post
The Guardian - Nanotechnology World in association with Nanochannels, and
Nanochannels - site and resources centre.