T.H.O.N.G. (Topless Humans Organized For Natural Genetics) paid a visit to the Nanocommerce 2004 Convention at McCormick Place in Chicago on Wednesday, October 6, 2004. Thong-clad activists painted with slogans (e.g., "size does matter") surprised conventioneers with an interruption of their evening reception. Thongsters formed a line in front of the speakers' table, stripped down to their thongs to reveal their slogans, turned to reveal identical slogans painted on each Thongster's back ("plenty of room at this bottom"), and tossed their calling cards (now displayed at the THONG site, ( www.chicagothong.org ) at the conventioneers before making a quick exit.

THONG subsequently offered the following statement to the organizers of the conference, in response to their request, for transmission to the conventioneers:

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Although intitially founded as an organization dedicated to promoting responsibility in the use of genetic technology, T.H.O.N.G.is not directed solely at that specific issue. We have kept the acronym for sentimental reasons, but do not allow the name's semantic content to limit our activism.

Nanotechnology, like genetic engineering, is an emerging technology which holds great promise, but also threatens great potential harm. We are not confident of the existing regulatory environment, and neither are we confident that the private sector can be trusted to implement this new
technology in a manner consistent with accepted notions of safety and ethical responsibility.

We appeal to you, the pioneers of the nanotechnology industry, to consider carefully the safety and morality of the products and processes you develop. We caution you that any failure on your part to fashion your industry in a responsible manner could lead you, and your investors, down the same road taken by, for instance, the asbestos industry (i.e.,bankruptcy for the industry, tragedy for those exposed to poisonous products.) We urge you to test your products carefully for safety before placing them in the stream of global commerce, lest you poison that stream irrevocably.

Your industry has arrived. T.H.O.N.G. has taken note of your arrival, and our action on Wednesday was designed to remind you of your responsibility to conduct yourself ethically. It was our intent to provide you with this reminder in a manner you might consider somewhat humorous, and attractive. It is not our intention to attack, or obstruct you
in your work, but rather to encourage you to be ever mindful that the ultimate purpose of every scientific discipline, and every business enterprise, is to promote the betterment of humanity and the planet. We appeal to your humanity, and your sense of decency, to conduct your research and business in a responsible manner. We will be watching you, and we will continue, in our own peculiar manner, to encourage ethical behavior by the nanotechnology industry.

TEST IT!

T.H.O.N.G.

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