Nanotechnology and Ethics

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- News Articles
- Reports & Articles
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News Articles on Nanotechnology and Ethics

- Innovation for whom? Innovation for what? The Impact of Ableism
14 December 2009 - Gregor Wolbring, Guest blog on 2020 Science

- Hooked on tech--ten alternative perspectives on technology innovation
10 December 2009 - Andrew Maynard, 2020 Science

- Ethical Debates Regarding New Developments in Nanotechnology Often too Speculative and Imaginative
27 May 2009 - AzoNano, Australia

- Ethical Evaluations of Nanotechnology
27 January 2009 - Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, USA

- Water for Poor
31 July 2008 - Nanotechnology Now, USA

- Military nanotechnology: high precision explosives through nanoscale structuring
5 June 2008 - NanoWerk, USA

- Nanotechnology, transhumanism and the bionic man
28 May 2008 - NanoWerk, USA

- Neither Gods Nor Goo
1 March 2008 - Reason Magazine, USA

- Nano-Morals
29 February 2008 - Los Angeles Times, USA

Nanotech: Yay or nay?
29 February 2008 - Los Angeles Times, USA

- Putin warns of new worldwide arms race
8 February 2008 - NanoWerk, UK

- Nanotechnology and the God of Small Things
12 January 2008 - Andrew Maynard for SafeNano, UK

- Ethical aspects of nanotechnology in medicine
9 January 2008 - NanoWerk, USA

Archives

Reports & Articles on Nanotechnology and Ethics

Nanotechnology: The Social and Ethical Issues - Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, USA, January 2009

The report emphasizes ways in which social and ethical issues intersect with governmental functions and responsibilities, including science and technology policy, as well as research funding, regulation and work on public engagement.

Understanding the Ethical Implications of Nanotechnology: Highlights of a Limited Inquiry By the President's Council on Bioethics - Council on Bioethics, 2008
How do—and how will—nanotechnologies affect human health and the natural environment? How is nanotechnology in general similar to and different from other types of technology? And as nanotechnologies develop, do they endanger human dignity, and if so, how?

Small is beautiful? Nanotechnology solutions for development problems - The Broker Online, February 2008
Nanotechnology promises revolutionary solutions for all kinds of problems. At this early stage it is possible to outline the applications of nanotech that could contribute to development and poverty reduction, and the dilemmas that might emerge. Whether developing countries will really benefit will depend on science and research policies in both the South and the North.

The Role of Nanotechnologies in Development and Poverty Alleviation: A Matter of Controversy - N.Invernizzi, G.Foladori and D.Maclurcan, November 2007
How can new technologies be leveraged to reduce poverty and inequity in a world that is driven by lucrative interests?

Principles for Nanotech Oversight - ICTA, AFL-CIO, FoE, IUF, ETC Group, Third World Network, Loka Institute, ... July 2007
The adverse impacts of granting patents for fundamental nanomaterials, which may amount to privatizing the building blocks of the natural world, must be considered and addressed. Moreover, the production of nanodevices for manufacturing, military or medical use – including enhancement of human performance –can be expected to pose complex risks as well as social and ethical challenges. Some laboratories are already engineering viruses, yeasts, and bacteria to make nanomaterials.

Gaining a competitive edge: Materials technology can enhance sporting performance, audience enjoyment, and increase athletes’ safety. But is it always fair? - January-February 2007 - Materials Today, USA

Nanotechnologies and the Precautionary Principle - Natural Resource Defense Council, 2006
NGO’s support a precautionary policy for nanomaterials:
1. Prohibit the untested or unsafe use of nanomaterials
2. Conduct full life-cycle EHS impact assessments as a prerequisite to commercialization; assess nanomaterials as new substances, since unique physical properties impart unique hazard profiles
3. Facilitate full and meaningful participation by public and workers in nanotechnologies development and control; assess the social and ethical impacts of nanotechnologies
4. Act on early warnings to protect communities and workers.

Nanotechnologies and Ethics: COMEST Policy Recommendations - UNESCO, 2007

What health and environmental issues arise with the use of new materials produced by nanoscale technologies?
How might nanoscale devices be controlled, and what concerns attend military and biomedical applications of nanotechnologies?
What opportunities might these bring for international cooperation addressing the most pressing needs of developing countries?

Ethics and nanotechnology: a basis for action - Commission de l’éthique de la science et de la technologie, Québec, April 2007

The report consists of three chapters devoted to the scientific, legal and ethical implications of nanotechnology. In its ethical assessment of nanotechnology, the Commission is upholding the protection of health and the environment, as well as respect for many values such as dignity, liberty, the integrity of the person, respect for the person, quality of life, respect for privacy, justice and equity, transparency and democracy.

Ethical issues raised by nanosciences, nanotechnologies and health - Comité Consultatif National d’Ethique pour les Sciences de la Vie et de la Santé, France, February 2007
The recommendations follow the precautionary principle, which implies more [the need for] fundamental research on risks before diffusing nano-applications. It also implies more transparency on nanotechnologies researches that is not currently effective because of the requirements for confidentiality related to industrial applications

The Ethics and Politics of Nanotechnology - UNESCO, 2006
The Brochure describes the science of nanotechnology and presents some of the ethical, legal and political issues that face the international community in the near future.

Big Picture on NanoScience - Wellcome Trust, June 2006
A good introduction on nanotechnology and its related issues. For example: Will nanotechnologies lead to a nano-divide between rich and poor?

Certainly, early examples of nanoproducts have been driven by a rich-world agenda: suncreams, tennis balls, tennis racquets, laptop computers and so on. And millions of pounds are being spent on sensor-laden ‘smartsuits’ for 21st-century infantry.

Websites on Nanotechnology and Ethics

NanoEthicsBank - Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions, Illinois Institute of Technology

The NanoEthicsBank is a database conceived as a resource for people who are interested in the social and ethical implications of nanotechnology.

NanoBioRaise - Nanobiotechnology: Responsible Action on Issues in Society and Ethics - Delft University of Technology

NanoBio-RAISE combines ethics research in nanobiotechnology with science communication.

This interdisciplinary project brings together nanobiotechnologists, ethicists and communication specialists with the aims to anticipate the societal and ethical issues likely to arise as nanobiotechnologies develop and to use the lessons from the GM debate to respond to the probable public concerns. NanoBio-RAISE is a 6th Framework Programme Science & Society Co-ordination Action funded by the European Commission.

Nanotechnology Challenges, Risks and Ethics - HowStuffWorks
Nanotechnology may allow us to create more powerful weapons, both lethal and non-lethal.
If nanotechnology in medicine makes it possible for us to enhance ourselves physically, is that ethical? In theory, medical nanotechnology could make us smarter, stronger and give us other abilities ranging from rapid healing to night vision. Should we pursue such goals? Could we continue to call ourselves human, or would we become transhuman?
If molecular manufacturing becomes a reality, how will that impact the world's economy? Assuming we can build anything we need with the click of a button, what happens to all the manufacturing jobs? If you can create anything using a replicator, what happens to currency? Would we move to a completely electronic economy? Would we even need money?

Videos on Nanotechnology and Ethics

- The Power of Small - Fred Friendly Seminars, 2008

- PRIVACY: Watching You Watching Me, Safer societies or no more secrets?
- HEALTH: Forever Young, Longer lives? But who decides?

- Ethical Issues - NanoExpo, France
The prospect of manipulating matter on a molecular scale and interacting with the living world raises ethical concerns as well as great hopes.

The convergence of nanotechnologies with biology and information technology (NBIC), suggests we may be able to take over from natural evolution as anticipated by transhumanism. This approach raises problems of a cultural and philosophical nature. Might the nanostructures we manufacture escape our control? Are we safe from "misuse" of these techniques, ranging from invasion of privacy to the production of new, more efficient weapons? These ethical issues must be taken into consideration by society as a whole.