SciDev.Net

APBioNet is a non-profit, nongovernmental organisation that focuses on the promotion of bioinformatics in the Asia Pacific region. Since 1998, it has helped develop a bioinformatics network infrastructure, facilitated the exchange of data and information, run training programs, workshops and symposia, and encouraged collaborations in the field of bioinformatics with an Asia Pacific focus.

Inbios is a non-profit society that has been set up to promote bioinformatics in India, serve as a resource base for those working in the field, and act as a bridge between industry and academia. Its activities include running a moderated web discussion forum, Biomeeet. Founded by Ashwin Sivakumar, currently a researcher at the University of Helsinki, Inbios originated as a voluntary project at the Indian Institute of Science.

The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology researches the political, economic, humanitarian and military issues involved in the development of nanotechnology, and disseminates information relating to these issues. The centre runs an online network of people involved and interested in the issues. The site is available in Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese, in addition to English.

The e-Africa Commission is part of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), charged with managing the development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in Africa. It is responsible for developing and overseeing policies and strategies for the ICT sector. It also runs both the NEPAD e-schools initiative to teach ICT to Africans in primary and secondary education, and the NEPAD ICT infrastructure programme, aiming to connect all African countries to a broadband network.

The ETC Group (Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Cooperation) is a research and advocacy group, based in Canada, that promotes the socially responsible development of technologies. The ETC Group has issued several reports on the responsible use of nanotechnology and has called for a UN moratorium on applications of nanotechnology that come into contact with the human body.

The Foresight Institute is a non-profit educational institute that focuses on anticipated advances in nanotechnology. It was founded by Eric Drexler, inventor of the term 'nanotechnology' and father of the vision of building materials by precisely assembling atoms.

The Wuppertal Institute is a German policy research institute for sustainable development, with a special focus on decoupling wealth from natural resources. The institute is running a project entitled "Will nanotechnology contribute to sustainable development?".