Box 1. Box 1 The 12 lessons outlined by the EEA2

From the following article

Late lessons from early warnings for nanotechnology

Steffen Foss Hansen, Andrew Maynard, Anders Baun & Joel A. Tickner

Nature Nanotechnology 3, 444 - 447 (2008) Published online: 20 July 2008

doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.198

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  1. Acknowledge and respond to ignorance, uncertainty and risk in technology appraisal.
  2. Provide long-term environmental and health monitoring and research into early warnings.
  3. Identify and work to reduce scientific 'blind spots' and knowledge gaps.
  4. Identify and reduce interdisciplinary obstacles to learning.
  5. Account for real-world conditions in regulatory appraisal.
  6. Systematically scrutinize claimed benefits and risks.
  7. Evaluate alternative options for meeting needs, and promote robust, diverse and adaptable technologies.
  8. Ensure use of 'lay' knowledge, as well as specialist expertise.
  9. Account fully for the assumptions and values of different social groups.
  10. Maintain regulatory independence of interested parties while retaining an inclusive approach to information and opinion gathering.
  11. Identify and reduce institutional obstacles to learning and action.
  12. Avoid 'paralysis by analysis' by acting to reduce potential harm when there are reasonable grounds for concern.