Against this cursory backdrop of pertinent global nano-technology initiatives, a question that must be asked is whether the international framework convention approach outlined by the authors is the best, or only, transnational reg-rnulatory/governance tool well-suited to address the regulatory challenges posed by nanotechnology, and whether its time has come. To some extent, the numerous international governance, standard-setting, and related global initiatives that populate the nanotechnology horizon have already created a loosely structured, virtual transnational framework for nanotechnology that is serving some, if not many, of the international governance needs that nanotechnology has inspired. These include EHS research and data development and information sharing, global consultation, technical/scientific protocol development, nomenclature and terminology development, and cooperation and information exchange on voluntary and regulatory programs. These initiatives are certainly flexible and adaptive, international, and innovative. They are not all that "official" in the same way an international protocol or convention is "official," but many of these initiatives are pursued by international regulatory agencies.
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