Towards the conscientious development of ethical nanotechnology

Abstract

Nanotechnology, the emerging capability of human beings to observe and organize matter at the atomic level, has captured the attention of the federal government, science and engineering communities, and the general public. Some proponents are referring to nanotechnology as "the next technological revolution". Applications projected for this new evolution in technology span a broad range from the design and fabrication of new membranes, to improved fuel cells, to sophisticated medical prosthesis techniques, to tiny intelligent machines whose impact on humankind is unknowable. As with the appropriation of technological innovation generally, nanotechnology is likely to eventually bring dramatic and unpredictable new capabilities to human material existence, along with resulting ethical challenges and social changes to be reconciled. But as of yet, aside from a few simple new consumer goods, such as paint, rackets and fabric coatings, nanotechnology is undeveloped. Its social and ethical dimensions are not apparent. Even still, given the stated goals of the various nanotechnology initiatives to rearrange matter with increasing atomic precision, the impact of nanotechnology on human life and society is likely be profound. It is very difficult, however, to make accurate predictions about the future impact of nanotechnology development on humanity. At this time, the most important role for ethics analysis is to contribute to a humanitarian, conscientious approach to its development. This paper suggests that such an approach requires that attention be given to the roles of imagination, meaning-making, metaphor, myth and belief.

Global Ethics and Nanotechnology: A Comparison of the Nanoethics Environments of the EU and China

“…Appropriate ethical and legal responses may be needed to deal with the risks posed by new technologies to life and the environment, and the ethical conflicts they cause…Unlike such areas as medical biotechnology, where ethics committees have been established, little has been done thus far to address research ethics in many new technological fields in Taiwan (such as genetic technology and nanotechnology). 7 The issue of 'public distrust' is one that China PR has been starting to face in terms of GM food. Whilst expert Technology Assessment (TA) has a history in China PR, it tends to be dominated by natural scientists with little background in social issues.…”

“…A public-private partnership charged to develop and implement a European nano-electronics research agenda first met in 2004. Its goals include: supporting research and investment in nano, speeding up innovation and productivity, the facilitation and acceleration of market penetration of new technologies, aligning research/technology with European policies and regulatory frameworks, and 7 National Science and [34], National Science Council, Executive Yuan, Taiwan, http://web1.nsc.gov.tw/public/Attachment/ 91214167571.PDF, p. 60; See also Mika Purra & Noah Richmond, 'Mapping Emerging Nanotechnology Policies and Regulation: The Case of Taiwan' [38]. Retrieved 28 December, 2011 from http://www2.lse.ac.uk/internationalRelations/ centresandunits/regulatingnanotechnologiesnanopdfs/ Taiwan2010.pdf.…”

Ethical Issues of Artificial Biomedical Applications

“…It is important to note, that such social and ethical issues are not specific to nanotechnology alone; any modern technology is the product of a complex interplay between its designers and the larger society in which it develops [22]. The development of nanotechnology is moving very quickly, and without any clear public guidance or leadership as to the moral tenor of its purposes, directions and outcomes; where nanotechnology is leading and what impact it might have on humanity is anyone's guess [23]. What appears to be missing at the present time is a clearly articulated prognosis of the potential global social benefits and harms that may develop from further scientific and technological advances in all of these areas [24].…”

Revolutionary and Familiar, Inevitable and Precarious: Rhetorical Contradictions in Enthusiasm for Nanotechnology

“…Progress in basic science is therefore heavily dependent on government funding [31, 50, 58, p. 10; 59]. 9 Even when funding for research is provided by the private sector, the research being done typically relies upon and presupposes research being done or previously carried out, in the public sector [12,42]. Sometimes this is obvious, as when researchers employed in publicly funded institutions devote their expertise and skills to particular research projects funded by private corporations.…”