The Promise (and Perils) of Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology already is being used to reformulate many of the products we use. Yet despite concern among scientists about dangerous consequences, the federal government has taken a laissez faire approach – allowing companies to do, essentially, whatever they choose. Why is there such lax oversight of these exotic, new nanomaterials, and what does that mean for consumers? Reporter Alex Schmidt finds out. Read the related Fall 2007 feature story here.