Ethical Issues In Nanotechnology Research Articles

Characteristics, Properties and Ethical Issues of Carbon Nanotubes in Biomedical Applications

The field of nanotechnology and nanoscience is growing rapidly in many areas of research, from electronics to biomedicine to material science. Carbon nanotubes are receiving a lot of attention in the research due to their unique properties and many possible applications. This new material is a good example of how nanotechnology provides us with new opportunities, but at the same time leaves us a lot of unknowns to deal with. In order to deal with the unknowns we need to consider both the science and the ethics of the different applications of this novel material. Nanoethics is the study of the ethical issues in nanotechnology. It is a relatively new field of study and a lot of different methods have been suggested in this area. In this article a method is suggested combining an existing ethical theory with a practical approach in order to do a case study of the ethical considerations of using carbon nanotubes in biomedicine. For the case study to be of practical significance the scientific characteristics and properties of carbon nanotubes are reviewed to give the reader an overview of the research field.

How Should We Do Nanoethics? A Network Approach for Discerning Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology

There is no agreement on how nanoethics should proceed. In this article I focus on approaches for discerning ethical issues in nanotechnology, which is as of yet one of the most difficult and urging tasks for nanoethics. I discuss and criticize two existing approaches for discerning ethical issues in nanotechnology and propose a network approach as alternative. I discuss debates in nanoethics about the desirable role of ethics in nanotechnological development and about the newness of ethical issues in nanotechnology. On basis of a critical analysis of both debates, I formulate a number of desiderata for a method for discerning ethical issues in nanotechnology and argue that the network approach that my colleagues and I have developed for ethical issues in research and development networks is also appropriate in nanotechnology.

Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing area in science involved with manipulating matter at the atomic or molecular level. Nanotechnology is typically defined at a scale on the order of less than approximately 100 nm. Matter possesses unique properties at these size levels that are neither Newtonian nor quantum, but between the two regimes.These unique properties have created significant interest and excitement, sparking numerous research investigations. Nanotechnology is a very broad field with many current and potential applications. Some important examples of applications include battlefield activated dynamic armor clothing for soldiers, additives to sunscreens, and diagnostic laboratories on a chip to monitor general personal health. Groundbreaking capabilities often raise new questions. Any new scientific or technological development has the usual concomitant associated ethical issues, specifically regarding containment and regulation. These ethical issues are more pronounced with nanotechnology due to the sharp divide between those who see its great potential and opponents who express fears. Nanotechnology supporters believe that it has the potential to transform our lives dramatically, while opponents of nanotechnology fear that self-replicating "nanobots" could escape from laboratories and reduce all life on earth to "gray goo. "These fears have swayed generally uninformed public opinions via the media and sensational entertainment. A critical discussion of ethical issues surrounding nanotechnology, including the interaction of nanotechnology with the body and the environment--nanobiotechnology--and regulation of nanotechnology, is presented. We advocate strong, uniform regulations for nanotechnology, but only the use of regulations as needed. The limited use of regulations prevents the regulations from becoming burdensome and inhibiting research in the field.

Zeroing in on ethical issues in nanotechnology

Setting aside exaggerated notions of both the benefits and harms to be expected from nanotechnologies, we need to focus ethical investigation on specific initiatives at the nano scale that are already underway or planned. The aims are to anticipate ethical issues likely to arise in specific cases, to foster sensitivity to ethical issues and responsibility among nano specialists and policy makers, and to stimulate interchange between nano specialists and members of the public so that the public can become involved. After clarifying what the term nanotechnology embraces and looking at cautionary lessons from experience with the information technologies and biotechnology, the discussion turns to the importance of anticipating consequences, intended and unintended. Although specific nano options to consider are lacking, a brief survey indicates the issues to watch out for: preventable harms, conflicts about justice and fairness, respect for persons, and more specifically, safeguards for workers in new production processes, intellectual property concerns, preservation of university values in university/industry relationships, and conflicts of interest. Three main fronts of activity are needed to address ethical issues: 1) incorporating ethics research into nano research and development enterprises; 2) devising mechanisms to involve the public so that their perspectives and concerns feed back into research and development; and 3) initiating educational efforts at every level addressing both technical aspects and ethics and social implications aspects.

Social and Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology: Lessons from Biotechnology and Other High Technologies

Biotechnology Law ReportVol. 22, No. 4 PapersSocial and Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology: Lessons from Biotechnology and Other High TechnologiesJoel Rothstein WolfsonJoel Rothstein WolfsonSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:5 Jul 2004https://doi.org/10.1089/073003103769015906AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byNanomedicine: a socio-technical systemTechnological Forecasting and Social Change, Vol. 173Risk issue adoption in an online social movement field6 June 2019 | Information, Communication & Society, Vol. 23, No. 13Lessons from the Land of Atoms and MoleculesPhilosophia Scientae, No. 23-1Laboratory Safety and Nanotechnology Workers: an Analysis of Current Guidelines in the USA5 February 2016 | NanoEthics, Vol. 10, No. 1The Role of Public (Mis)perceptions in the Acceptance of New Food Technologies: Implications for Food Nanotechnology Applications29 August 2015Would You Mind, If We Record This? Perceptions on Regulation and Responsibility among Indian Nanoscientists28 November 2013 | NanoEthics, Vol. 7, No. 3Researcher Views About Funding Sources and Conflicts of Interest in Nanotechnology19 February 2011 | Science and Engineering Ethics, Vol. 18, No. 4Bibliography10 October 2012Hitting the mark or falling short with nanotechnology regulation?Trends in Biotechnology, Vol. 27, No. 11Nanotechnology innovation system: Understanding hidden dynamics of nanoscience fusion trajectoriesTechnological Forecasting and Social Change, Vol. 76, No. 1From Bio to NanoPotential impacts of nanotechnology development in IranIEEE Technology and Society Magazine, Vol. 27, No. 4EpilogueFrom Bio to Nano: Learning Lessons from the UK Agricultural Biotechnology ControversyScience as Culture, Vol. 15, No. 4Nanotechnology: Mapping the wild regulatory frontierFutures, Vol. 38, No. 9Social and ethical dimensions of nanoscale science and engineering researchScience and Engineering Ethics, Vol. 12, No. 3Nanotechnology and the need for risk governance22 April 2006 | Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Vol. 8, No. 2Teaching Societal and Ethical Implications of Nanotechnology to Engineering Students Through Science Fiction27 July 2016 | Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, Vol. 25, No. 6References8 March 2010The Human Centred Approach to Bionanotechnology in TelemedicineContemplating the Implications of a Nanotechnology “Revolution” Volume 22Issue 4Aug 2003 To cite this article:Joel Rothstein Wolfson.Social and Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology: Lessons from Biotechnology and Other High Technologies.Biotechnology Law Report.Aug 2003.376-396.http://doi.org/10.1089/073003103769015906Published in Volume: 22 Issue 4: July 5, 2004PDF download