Ethical Issues in NanoBiotech

NanoEthics, 2009

The current literature on nanoethics focuses on a wide array of topics such as equity, privacy, military, environment, human enhancement, intellectual property, and security. The identification of those topics leads to the adoption of an ethical stance, which we call the in itself dimension. In this article we argue that even though it is correct to identify the areas where ethical problems are imperative to deal with (in itself dimension), it is a partial approach. This is because the in itself dimension pays no attention to another ethical stance; one that does not have anything to do with individual or collective responsibilities, but rather with the socio-economic system into which those responsibilities are embedded. We call this second issue the contextual dimension.

The global dissemination of science and technology is transforming bioethics increasingly into a global intellectual and practical activity. Research projects are undertaken in multiple international centres with more and more research subjects being recruited in developing countries. Medication is distributed all over the globe. Healthcare practices are increasingly standardised although guidelines and legislative frameworks may differ or even be absent. This globalisation of science and healthcare makes the benefits of scientific and technological progress, at least theoretically, available to all citizens of the world. However, we know that in practise the benefits and burdens of scientific development are not equally distributed. Poorer countries are often excluded from the benefits of biomedical progress. Vaccination programmes for infectious diseases, for example, are frequently not used in the least developed countries because of lack of resources. There is also the risk that different legal and moral standards are applied in different regions of the world. While in western countries detailed legislation regulates the conduct of clinical trials, less developed countries have experiences of 'unauthorized' research since they do not have appropriate legislation or ethical review committees. Scientific development, technological innovation and environmental protection are often the focus of close attention of policy-makers in more developed countries. One of the effects can be that research consortia and pharmaceutical companies are transferring their activities to less developed countries where legal frameworks and public oversight are less extensive. Especially Africa is sometimes regarded as the dustbin of the world. This danger is illustrated by the recent scandal over toxic waste in the Ivory Coast as well as the movie The Constant Gardener.

2008

Nanoethics, or the study of nanotechnology's ethical and social implications, is an emerging but controversial field. Outside of the industry and academia, most people are first introduced to nanotechnology through fictional works that posit scenarios���which scientists largely reject���of self-replicating ���nanobots��� running amok like a pandemic virus (Crichton, 2002).

2009

Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Woodrow Wilson Center, 2009

Recent action in Congress to reauthorize the U.S. federal nanotechnology research program offers the chance to address the social and ethical issues concerning the emerging scientific field, experts say. “It is crucial to address social and ethical issues now as we consider both the substantial potential risks of nanotechnology and its possible significant contributions to our well-being and environmental sustainability,” says Ronald Sandler, Northeastern University philosophy professor and author of a new report funded by the Project and the National Science Foundation. The report emphasizes ways in which such topics intersect with governmental functions and responsibilities, including science and technology policy, as well as research funding, regulation and work on public engagement.

NanoEthics, 2013

In this paper I focus on the question whether there are new ethical problems arising in nanotechnology, as opposed to mere new instances of old ethical problems. Firstly, I show that we cannot do without the general distinction between being an instance of a new ethical problem and being a new instance of an old one. Secondly, I propose one possible way of interpreting the distinction, and accordingly I give a definition of “being a new ethical problem”. Thirdly I examine whether we have good reasons to claim that there are, or there are going to be, new ethical problems in nanotechnology. My answer is negative: there is no new type of ethical problem in nanotechnology, and rather there are just new occurrences of some well-known types of ethical problems. Fourthly I consider three arguments by van de Poel (2008) against my conclusion. I argue that my negative answer is consistent with the claim that some ethical issues arising in nanotechnology may require new normative standards, or new analytical tools. I conclude that it is likely that some ethical issues arising in nanotechnology will have a deep impact on our ethical theories and values – and that ethical reflection on nanotechnology will be one of the mother lodes of future ethical research – in spite of the fact that no ethical problem in nanoethics will actually be “new”.

2010

Ongoing research in nanotechnology promises both innovations and risks, potentially and profoundly changing the world. This book helps to promote a balanced understanding of this important emerging technology, offering an informed and impartial look at the technology, its science, and its social impact and ethics.

Revista romana de bioetica

Nanotechnology is a field that we often hear of its name nowadays. Altough what we know about it is soo poor, we admire this field of technlogy, moreover some societies even argues that nanotechnology will cause second endustrial revolution. In addition, nanotechnology makes our basic scientific knowledge upside down and is soo powerfull that it is potent in nearly every scientific field. Thereby, it is imposible to say that nanotechnology; which is soo effective on human and human life; will not cause social and ethical outcomes. In general, the definition of nanotechnology is the reconfiguration of nanomaterials by human; there also are different definitions according to the history of nanotechnology and different point of views. First of all, in comparison to the other tehnology fields, what is the cause of excellence of nanotechnology, what human can do is to foresee the advantages and disadvantages of it, what are the roles of developed and developping countries for the progres...

2008

This brief paper introduces the subject of Nanotechnology and its ethical implications as an applied technology. It goes on to explore and present a blueprint for the theological, legal and ethical issues which Muslim scholars may need to address, as well as a framework through which scholars can determine relevant solutions.

NanoEthics, 2011

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.

—Nanotechnology has turned into the recent scientific lingo and swift innovation in this field are significantly impacting the courses in which we conceptualise the future and human capacity to control matter at the nuclear and atomic levels, by offering undreamt promises for scientific innovations. Since the merging of nanotechnology with biotechnology, data innovation, subjective science discipline has crafted and hold guarantee for the change of human enactment at various levels, hence 'social and ethical issues' turns into a repeating expression in the scientific group. Hence stakeholders paying consideration on nanotechnology innovation with a vital question: whether nanotechnology is demonstrating ethically and socially unique issues or the ethical and social issues are related to nanotechnology like other innovative technologies. The present article endeavours to comprehend the discussion over nanotechnology with respect to its potential advantages and the threat to the society. One view in this discussion is that nanotechnology has a progressive potential and will have huge financial advantages, while the another view is wary about its potential with regards to ethical and social issues and values, for example, equity and social justice. Finally, an attempt is made to find the variance in the societal and ethical issue in both, those who want to promote it and those who have fears about its potential. Thus this write-up adds the level headed discussions by investigating foundational issues about the relationship of ethics and nanotechnology.

Advances in Computers, 2007

This chapter reviews the role ethical and societal issues associated with nanotechnology have played in the development of national, and particularly US nanotechnology policies. The prominence of nanotechnology as a matter of national policy is significant, as is the attention being afforded to ethical and societal considerations. Notably, there is an emphasis on the early anticipation of societal dimensions of nanotechnology and of collaborative socio-technical integration during research and development activities. While these policies are fairly unprecedented and pose considerable challenges to the societal and technical researchers to whom the tasks of early integration may fall, there is reason to believe that continued efforts aimed at their implementation are likely. The chapter provides a brief history and explanation of the US nanotechnology "ethics policy" in reference to the discourse and concerns motivating policy makers. It then surveys some of the growing body of literature emerging around what has been termed nanoethics. This literature includes a similar emphasis on early and collaborative anticipation of the ethical and societal implications surrounding nanotechnology. Finally, the chapter identifies a list of fundamental tasks that would be necessary to address for the sake of developing the capacity of social and technical researchers to effectively engage in socio-technical integration. These tasks include defining the scope of nanoscale science and engineering subject to the ethics policy, and the interactions, responsibility, participation, and regulation envisioned or implied by the ethics policy under consideration. A few emerging cases of socio-technical collaborations are noted, and key statements made by congressional witnesses and others are cited. Throughout the chapter, an attempt is made to frame the statements within conceptual considerations drawn from the diverse contexts of nanotechnology, policy, and ethics.

Materials Today: Proceedings, 2017

For the past few decades there has been a considerable research interest in the area of nanotechnology. This paper present the basics of nanotechnology and some predictions about its social consequences, environmental effects, health effect and the ethical issues it raise. Certain features of nanotechnology have been found that are likely to be important in determining its impact in the areas of society and environment. More importantly, responding to the challenge of nanotechnology will require confronting "philosophical" questions about the sort of society we wish to create and the role that technology might play in creating it.

Medicine Health Care and Philosophy, 2016

Nanomedicine offers remarkable options for new therapeutic avenues. As methods in nanomedicine advance, ethical questions conjunctly arise. Nanomedicine is an exceptional niche in several aspects as it reflects risks and uncertainties not encountered in other areas of medical research or practice. Nanomedicine partially overlaps, partially interlocks and partially exceeds other medical disciplines. Some interpreters agree that advances in nanotechnology may pose varied ethical challenges, whilst others argue that these challenges are not new and that nanotechnology basically echoes recurrent bioethical dilemmas. The purpose of this article is to discuss some of the ethical issues related to nanomedicine and to reflect on the question whether nanomedicine generates ethical challenges of new and unique nature. Such a determination should have implications on regulatory processes and professional conducts and protocols in the future. Keywords Enhancement Á Ethics Á Nanomedicine Á Nanotechnology Á Risk Á Safety Á Social justice Á Uncertainty This article originated from a workshop on Unique Ethical Issues in Nanomedicine, organized by EuroNanoMed2, 3rd December 2014, Oslo, Norway. EuroNanoMed 2 is a non-profit organization aimed at fostering transnational nanomedical research (http://www. euronanomed.net/).

NanoBiotechnology, 2006

Nanobiotechnology is an exciting research area and raises not only high expectations for future health care and other applications, but also some concerns. In order to achieve acceptance of the expected technological benefits by the public, their impact on individuals and the society should openly be discussed now. This discussion should go beyond the presently dominated debate on adverse effects of nanoparticles.