biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science and mathematics. The major research objectives in MNT are the design, modeling, and fabrication of molecular machines and molecular devices. The emergence of MNT--both infant and mature--has numerous social, legal, cultural, ethical, religious, philosophical and political implications.Much as the invention of electricity and transistors were enabling technologies, so too is Nanotechnology (more precisely, nanoscale technologies) enabling - it will enable us to do radical new things in virtually every technological and scientific arena. It will also change things in unpredictable and unanticipated ways. Having learned lessons from their experiences with other revolutionary technologies, scientists (technologists and social scientists) are collaborating in examinating the implications of the developments that are beginning to take place, in an effort to both smooth the transitions, and to head off potential negative consequences (such as Gray Goo or government intervention in research and development).Some things that become practical with mature Nanotechology (paraphrasing Dr. K. Eric Drexler):Nearly free consumer productsPC's billions of times faster then todaySafe and affordable space travelVirtual end to illness, aging, deathNo more pollution and automatic cleanup of existing pollutionEnd of famine and starvationSuperior education for every child on EarthReintroduction of many extinct plants and animalsTerraforming Earth and the Solar SystemAnd for all who take a more science-specific approach:From: Nanosystems Molecular Machinery, Manufacturing, and Computation. By K. Eric DrexlerThe following devices and capabilities appear to be both physically possible and practically realizable: Programmable positioning of reactive molecules with ~0.1 nm precision Mechanosynthesis at >106operations/device second Mechanosynthetic assembly of 1 kg objects in <104 s Nanomechanical systems operating at ~109 Hz Logic gates that occupy ~1026 m3 (~10 8 m3) Logic gates that switch in ~0.1 ns and dissipate <10 21 J Computers that perform 1016 instructions per second per watt Cooling of cubic-centimeter, ~105 W systems at 300 K Compact 1015 MIPS parallel computing systems Mechanochemical power conversion at >109 W/m3 Electromechanical power conversion at >1015 W/m3 Macroscopic components with tensile strengths >51010 Pa Production systems that can double capital stocks in <104 sOf these capabilities, several are qualitatively novel and others improve on present engineering practice by one or more orders of magnitude. Each is an aspect or a consequence of molecular manufacturing.While there is great debate as to when MNT will start to seriously impact us, best guesses range from around 2015 to as late as 2025. Certainly within the lifetime of most everyone currently under 60 years of age.Along with the development of Nanotechnology comes the necessity to develop reasonable guidelines, procedures, and laws in order to protect humanity from misuse of the technologies. With that in mind, we bring you:Assumptions, principles, and some specific recommendations intended to provide a basis for responsible development of molecular nanotechnology.From the Foresight Guidelines on Molecular NanotechnologyDevelopment PrinciplesArtificial replicators must not be capable of replication in a natural, uncontrolled environment.Evolution within the context of a self-replicating manufacturing system is discouraged.Any replicated information should be error free.MNT device designs should specifically limit proliferation and provide traceability of any replicating systems.Developers should attempt to consider systematically the environmental consequences of the technology,