17 Revitalizing nanoethics: Nanotechnology at the center of nanoethics
Abstract
The chapter revisits the discussions on the need for nanoethics as a particular field of ethics. Many authors argued there was nothing morally specific to the field of nanotechnology. Nanoethics should consequently be developed alongside - and build on work done in - other branches of applied ethics (like bioethics). Nanoethics, however, came to be presented as a “new ethics”: one that focused on process rather than product; an ethics that made a difference for the “science in the making.” In this context, nanotechnology became an important site for the articulation of responsible research and innovation (RRI) initiatives whose identity in part was marked by a negative definition: the integration of ethics in nanotechnology is not to be done like it had been done in genomics. Nanotechnology should not continue the applied ethics pathway of scrutinizing ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI). This paper suggests that the turn to RRI - away from ELSI - is part of the reason why nanoethics lost its initial momentum. As nanoethics turned into a field focusing on the “ethics of new and emerging technology,” research situated in and dedicated to nanotechnology were gradually downplayed. As a result, nanotechnology - as a host for RRI innovations - has lost valuable substantial analysis from fields like theology, law, and philosophy. It is time to revitalize nanoethics. As nanotechnology is normalized, it is important to revitalize nanoethics by reintroducing careful scrutiny of nanotechnological issues into the sites where nanotechnology is fabricated. The point is not to devalue the importance of the “new ethics” of emerging technology - but to draw attention to what is lost.
Abstract
The chapter revisits the discussions on the need for nanoethics as a particular field of ethics. Many authors argued there was nothing morally specific to the field of nanotechnology. Nanoethics should consequently be developed alongside - and build on work done in - other branches of applied ethics (like bioethics). Nanoethics, however, came to be presented as a “new ethics”: one that focused on process rather than product; an ethics that made a difference for the “science in the making.” In this context, nanotechnology became an important site for the articulation of responsible research and innovation (RRI) initiatives whose identity in part was marked by a negative definition: the integration of ethics in nanotechnology is not to be done like it had been done in genomics. Nanotechnology should not continue the applied ethics pathway of scrutinizing ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI). This paper suggests that the turn to RRI - away from ELSI - is part of the reason why nanoethics lost its initial momentum. As nanoethics turned into a field focusing on the “ethics of new and emerging technology,” research situated in and dedicated to nanotechnology were gradually downplayed. As a result, nanotechnology - as a host for RRI innovations - has lost valuable substantial analysis from fields like theology, law, and philosophy. It is time to revitalize nanoethics. As nanotechnology is normalized, it is important to revitalize nanoethics by reintroducing careful scrutiny of nanotechnological issues into the sites where nanotechnology is fabricated. The point is not to devalue the importance of the “new ethics” of emerging technology - but to draw attention to what is lost.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Preface: Converging technologies from the nanoscale require enhanced ethics VII
- Forewords XI
- Acknowledgments XVII
- Contents XIX
- Introduction: Overall vision of ethics in nanotechnology developments XXIII
- Embedding ethics in nanomedicine: Europe acted promptly XXVII
- List of contributing authors XXXVII
- About the editors XLI
-
Part I: Highlights of ethics in nanotechnology
- 1 Nanoethics: Giving orientation to societal reflection 3
-
Part II: Nanotechnology and ethical reflections
- 2 Toward a revitalized vision of ethics and safety for the revolutionary nanotechnologies 23
- 3 Nanotechnology: Ethical guidelines for a disruptive technology 43
- 4 Defining the nanoethics frontier 57
- 5 Application of nanotechnology for dental implants 75
- 6 Nanomaterial characterization for nanoethics 95
-
Part III: Health, environment and industrial aspects of nanoethics
- 7 Ethical aspects of nanomaterials in industry 119
- 8 Militarization of nanotechnology 145
- 9 Nanotechnology in food: Ethics, industry practices, and regulatory frameworks 159
- 10 Ethical challenge of nanomedicine 177
- 11 Nanofood and ethical issues 191
-
Part IV: Nanotechnology governance: Societal and legal aspects
- 12 Nanoethics for safe work: philosophical foundations of safer nanodesign protecting workplace health 209
- 13 Twenty years of nanoethics: Challenges, clarifications, and achievements 273
-
Part V: Nanotechnology philosophy: Dilemmas and ethical issues
- 14 Christian thinking and acting in nanotechnologies: Reflection based on the principles and values of the Social Teaching of the Church based on apps concerning old people 295
- 15 Calibrating the balance: The ethics of regulating the production and use of nanotechnology applications 331
- 16 Importance of social morals in nanotechnology 343
- 17 Revitalizing nanoethics: Nanotechnology at the center of nanoethics 361
- Conclusion 373
- Index 377
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Preface: Converging technologies from the nanoscale require enhanced ethics VII
- Forewords XI
- Acknowledgments XVII
- Contents XIX
- Introduction: Overall vision of ethics in nanotechnology developments XXIII
- Embedding ethics in nanomedicine: Europe acted promptly XXVII
- List of contributing authors XXXVII
- About the editors XLI
-
Part I: Highlights of ethics in nanotechnology
- 1 Nanoethics: Giving orientation to societal reflection 3
-
Part II: Nanotechnology and ethical reflections
- 2 Toward a revitalized vision of ethics and safety for the revolutionary nanotechnologies 23
- 3 Nanotechnology: Ethical guidelines for a disruptive technology 43
- 4 Defining the nanoethics frontier 57
- 5 Application of nanotechnology for dental implants 75
- 6 Nanomaterial characterization for nanoethics 95
-
Part III: Health, environment and industrial aspects of nanoethics
- 7 Ethical aspects of nanomaterials in industry 119
- 8 Militarization of nanotechnology 145
- 9 Nanotechnology in food: Ethics, industry practices, and regulatory frameworks 159
- 10 Ethical challenge of nanomedicine 177
- 11 Nanofood and ethical issues 191
-
Part IV: Nanotechnology governance: Societal and legal aspects
- 12 Nanoethics for safe work: philosophical foundations of safer nanodesign protecting workplace health 209
- 13 Twenty years of nanoethics: Challenges, clarifications, and achievements 273
-
Part V: Nanotechnology philosophy: Dilemmas and ethical issues
- 14 Christian thinking and acting in nanotechnologies: Reflection based on the principles and values of the Social Teaching of the Church based on apps concerning old people 295
- 15 Calibrating the balance: The ethics of regulating the production and use of nanotechnology applications 331
- 16 Importance of social morals in nanotechnology 343
- 17 Revitalizing nanoethics: Nanotechnology at the center of nanoethics 361
- Conclusion 373
- Index 377
