19/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 19 July, the European Commission launched a consultation exercise prior to drawing up a possible code of conduct for nanoscience and nanotechnology research. The potential of nanotechnologies is considerable, with, over and above, a huge market worth an estimated €1.9 trillion by 2014. However, the insertion of infinitely small parts into a whole range of products, into the environment, and into the human body raises fears in terms of pollution and also on the ethical level. Thus, the Commission is giving consideration to a code of conduct which could be adopted by member states in the form of a recommendation. As part of the consultation exercise, the Commission is asking interested parties to say whether they think this instrument would be appropriate and whether there are nanoscience areas where research should not be pursued. The consultation paper can be consulted at: http: //ec.europa.eu/research/consultations/list_en.html The consultation exercise will run until 21 September. (oj)