Insurance Industry Warned of Nanotechnology Risks

SilentScream writes "Cordis reports that major reinsurance company Swiss Re has advised insurance companies that they may need to reconsider covering products manufactured using nanotechnology until more is known about any possible side effects of the technology. The recommendation is detailed in a 57-page report titled 'Nanotechnology - Small matter, many unknowns', which is available on the Swiss Re web site. The report acknowledges that further research is needed but outlines the possible effects of nanotechnology on the human brain and the potential for an asbestos-like threat."

oh, come on

[millahtime]

nano tech didn't hurt Jake 2.0

It made him faster, stronger and able to control computers with his mind.

chickens and eggs

[sketchelement]

It's kind of a Chicken/Egg problem for the insurers, isn't it?

That is until the first lawsuits start getting settled. Then I suppose the actuaries'll have the real benchmark they need.

No big deal.

[cafal]

I'd say the risks of nanotechnology are of small concern.

Are you ready for the Grey Death?

[Travoltus]

JC Denton, slap summadat Deus Ex (Machina) on us, quick! :)

Why dont they study

[stratjakt]

The risks of cloning dinosaurs or time travel?

But then, people take sci-fi horseshit pretty seriously these days. I was watching a Greenpeace guy debate some scientist about "the day after tomorrow" on some news show.

Nanotech risks?

[Dr Cool]

I've been working with carbon nanotubes (buckyballs) for 5 years, no filters, no clean rooms, no suits, none of that fancy stuff. Carbon nanotubes are basically a superfine black dust. I haven't any I haven't I haven't noticed haven't noticed noticed haven't noticed I haven't noticed any problems.

obvious answer

[dman123]

Because cafal cares very little about it.

Re:Glad

[kin_korn_karn]

Since, as we all know, capitalism is so much better than government, in every single way. Who needs an army? Who needs roads? We have STOCK, motherfucker! We should abolish all governments and re-organize our nations around corporate city-states.

Being a resident of the St. Louis metro area, I would change from American to Anheuser-Buschian.

Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.

People are so fucking clueless.

Re:Glad

[duffbeer703]

And also note that if the building didn't burn to the ground, the helpful volunteers would loot the building of its intact contents.

Re:Glad

[schemanista]

Aaah, to be 15 again.

Re:Nanotech risks?

[Hiro Antagonist]

I haven't any I haven't I haven't noticed haven't noticed noticed haven't noticed I haven't noticed any problems.

Hey, Max Headroom, when did you start posting on /.?

Re:Mmm

[untaken_name]

Riiiight.
Insurance companies are notorious for using anyting that happens as either -
a) a reason to jack up premiums, or
b) a reason to not pay out.
or both.

Generally, insurance companies write clauses into their contracts to weasel out of paying in the 2-3 most likely circumstances.
and compulsory insurance is just a license for them to print money.

Yeah. Like the time they told me that my not-at-fault accident was an act of God because God made the guy that hit me. It didn't help when I told them he was an atheist. Bastards.

I, for one

[std deviant]

Welcome our new gray goo overlords. And, i might add, as a longhaired geek, that I have some influence over the chattering masses and can be useful in calming the populous.

Evil KISS members.

[GPLDAN]

Without proper legislation, Gene Simmons could turn into an evil scientist who uses tiny robots to hatch an evil plan to destroy the world's oil supply and bankrupt the World Bank. Then we'd need an overweight Tom Selleck to save us!