Nanotechnology pioneer slays ‘grey goo’ myths

June 9, 2004 | Source: Innovations Report

Eric Drexler, known as the father of nanotechnology, today publishes a paper that admits that self-replicating machines are not vital for large-scale molecular manufacture, and that nanotechnology-based fabrication can be thoroughly non-biological and inherently safe.

“Runaway replicators, while theoretically possible according to the laws of physics, cannot be built with today’s nanotechnology toolset,” says Dr. Drexler, writing in the Institute of Physics journal Nanotechnology. “Self-replicating machines aren’t necessary for molecular nanotechnology, and aren’t part of current development plans.”