Nano-Technology, Ethics, and Risks

Abstract

Nanotechnology is developing far faster than our understanding of its effects. This lapping of our understanding by speedy development is typical of new technologies, and in the United States we let development occur, introducing new artifacts into the world, without any serious attempt to understand beforehand their effects, long-term or short-term. We have been willing to pay the price of pushing the technological envelope, but pushing the nanotechnological envelope has some special risks, requiring more caution.

Intermatrix Synthesis as a rapid, inexpensive and reproducible methodology for the in situ functionalization of nanostructured surfaces with quantum dots

“…The possibility of release of nanomaterials into the environment [16][17][18][19][20] results in the serious concerns about safety issues dealing with: 1) their higher toxicity in A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t comparison with their bulk counterparts; 2) the absence of the legislation normative for permitted levels of various NMs in water and air; and 3) the absence of the adequate analytical techniques for detection of NMs in the environment [21,22].…”

Nanotechnology and Ethical Governance in the European Union and China

“…The fi rst is that of public education, more specifi cally noted by Grinbaum as the problem of communicating a complex, microscopic science that cannot be demonstrated easily. 17 The next issue is that articles on the undefi ned risks of a product backed by strong economic imperatives, with 'low gates' to the market in regulatory terms, are symptomatic of a continued interest in 'anticipatory assessment' as well as perceived tensions between public trust and corporate responsibility (Robison 2011 ). In addition, risk reporting tends to take place in the general media at the expense of articles on the benefi ts of nanotechnology, which are confi ned to business or science sections with much smaller audiences (Stephens 2005 ).…”

Advances of nanotechnology in agro-environmental studies

“…However, any new technology carries an ethical responsibility for its wise application and the recognition that there are potential unforeseen risks that may come with the enormous potential benefit (IRGC, 2006). One of the most important aspects of nanotechnology from an ethical point of view is the fact that nanomaterials show novel characteristics compared to the same material at a larger scale (Robison, 2011). In recent years, several authors have argued that the desirability of novel technologies should be assessed early, when they are still emerging.…”