Synopses & Reviews
By bringing together international experts from a diverse range of fields this volume seeks to address the implications and impact that nanotechnology has on society. Through the exploration of six key themes the contributors seek to analyse both the impact of nanotechnology and the emergence of the concept of nanoethics. Each section includes authors from both sides of the political and scientific divide - incorporating both positive and negative perspectives on nanotechnology, as well as including discussions of associated concepts such as converging technologies. The result provides for the widest and most balanced discussion of these issues to date
This volume assembles an interdisciplinary team of leading academics, industry figures, policymakers and NGO's to consider the legal, ethical and social issues that are raised by innovations in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The editors have sought to move the nanotechnology debate beyond utopian and dystopian visions of a nano-future. Instead the authors develop an open and thorough debate of the issues. To this end the contributors assess the impact and implications (for better or worse) of nano-technology in relation to a number of key topics:
- Part I: Nanotechnology, Innovation and Global Access
- Part II: Nanotechnology and Society
- Part III: Nanotechnology and Health
- Part IV: Nanotechnology and the Environment
- Part V: Nanotechnology and Security
- Part VI: The Governance of Nanotechnology
Synopsis
The volume contributes to the ongoing nanoethics debate in four topical areas. The first part tackles questions of what could be called 'meta-nanoethics'. Its focus lies on basic concepts and the issue of what - if anything - is truly novel and special about the new field of nanoethics or its subject matter. The second part of this volume presents a selection of interesting perspectives on some of the opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology. Part three takes a more in depth look at one of the most pressing current concerns: how to deal with the risks and uncertainties surrounding nanotechnology in a responsible manner. In its fourth and final part the volume touches on issues of public debate and policy.
Synopsis
In Pursuit of Nanoethics: An Introduction.. 7
Bert Gordijn and Anthony Mark Cutter 7
Part 1
Concepts and Novelty.. 17
On the Novelty of Nanotechnology: A Philosophical Essay. 19
Joachim Schummer 19
Does nanotechnology require a new "Nanoethics"?. 31
S ren Holm 31
GM Food and Nanotechnology. 38
Ronald Sandler 38
Part 2
Opportunities and Challenges.. 55
Nanomedicine and Body Modification: Critical Perspectives.. 57
Melanie Latham 57
Nanotechnology and Biodiversity. 67
Darryl Macer 67
Nanotechnologically Enhanced Combat Systems: The Downside of Invulnerability. 79
Robert Simpson and Robert Sparrow 79
Part 3
Risks and Precaution... 91
Risk, Precaution, and Nanotechnology. 93
Fritz Allhoff 93
The Risks of Nanomedicine and the Precautionary Principle. 112
Roberto Andorno and Nikola Biller-Andorno 112
Ethical and Societal Values in Nanotoxicology. 124
Kevin C. Elliott 124
Part 4
Public Debate and Policy.. 138
Nanotechnology, Risk and Public Perceptions.. 140
Philip Macnaghten 140
Unlocking the futures of nanotechology. Future-oriented narratives and access to the public discourse on nanoscale. 152
Simone Arnaldi 152
Nanotechnology and ethics - European public policies.. 161
Henk ten Have 161
Synopsis
Featuring authors from numerous global organizations and with a multidisciplinary approach incorporating both natural and social sciences, this volume explores the convergence of nano- and biotechnology and views 'nanoethics' as a distinct emergent discipline.
Synopsis
This volume assembles an interdisciplinary team of leading academics, industry figures, policymakers and NGO's to consider the legal, ethical and social issues that are raised by innovations in nanoscience and nanotechnology. By bringing together international experts from a diverse range of fields this volume addresses the implications and impact that nanotechnology has on society. Through the exploration of six key themes the contributors analyse both the impact of nanotechnology and the emergence of the concept of nanoethics. Each section includes authors from both sides of the political and scientific divide - incorporating both positive and negative perspectives on nanotechnology, as well as including discussions of associated concepts such as converging technologies. The result provides for the widest and most balanced discussion of these issues to date
Table of Contents
Introduction: Conceptions of Nanoethics; A.M. Cutter, Senior Lecturer, University of Central Lancashire, B.Gordijn, Assistant Professor, St. Radboud University of Nijmegen Part I: Nanotechnology, Innovation and Industry. 1: Intellectual Property Issues in Nanotechnology; Mr A.Pompidou, President, European Patent Office, 2: Commercialisation and global access to nanotechnology; Professor A. Daar,Professor P. A. Singer, Toronto 3: Nanotechnology and the Biotech Market; Professor J. Schummer, Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany Part II: Nanotechnology and Society. 4: Risk perceptions in NanoTechnology; Professor B. Wynne, CESAGen, Lancaster University 5: Communicating Nanotechnology; C.L.Peterson, Foresight Nanotech Institute, USA 6: Nanotechnology as the new GMO?; Dr R. Sandler & Dr W. Kay, Northeastern University Part III: Nanotechnology and Health. 7: The case for NanoMedicine ; Dr R. A. Freitas Jr, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Molecular Manufacturing, California 8: The perils of NanoMedicine; Professor N. Biller-Andorno, Institute of Medical Ethics, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Germany