Such a powerful technology will be utilized to benefit humanity if humanity as a whole is involved.

Nanotechnology will change the way of life of all. The best way that the interests of all can be obtained as this occurs are through enlightened self interest, awareness and cooperation.

Each individual must be given the right and power to ride this wave and do his or her best for humanity as a whole to rise it's highest. For nanotechnology to truly rise individuals must have the power to matter and to take part. Top down management is for corporations and militaries and bygone socialist unions, not free thinking, free flowing democracies.

The knowledge and tools can not be restricted to a few as the technology will become too powerful for a minority to lord over the rest with trust of fairness.

Broad overarching laws must be established for the use of nanotechnology by congress, enforced by the executive branch and justice mediated by the Judicial branch. A level playing field can thus be established where all may contribute and all may matter. The alternative seems to be that the bulk of humanity will be dealt out in this game of cards as they become powerless, incapable and unnecessary.

Citizens need a part in nanotechnology lest nanotechnology eventually need no part of them.

If there isn't some sort of Open Source movement where the populace has access to the tools and technology, the populace is at the mercy of those that do. Security to protect against rogue use can be developed by people as a whole as people as a whole want the future to be good and evil not to dominate. Individual self interest can serve the whole if the self interests of the whole are served.

Nanotechnology through democratic participation and use can grow to meet the coming challenges but people need to be able to take part.