Home Physical Sciences 2 Nanotechnology in agrifood sector: Ethical, regulatory, and governance landscape in EU
Chapter
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

2 Nanotechnology in agrifood sector: Ethical, regulatory, and governance landscape in EU

  • Nidhi Gupta
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Explore this Subject How to publish with us
Ethics in Nanotechnology
This chapter is in the book Ethics in Nanotechnology

Abstract

Nanotechnology holds a promise to bring profound transformations and revolutionize the agriculture and food sector with the potential to increase agricultural productivity, food security, and economic growth for industries. Nanotechnology has been increasingly applied in the agrifood sector. In the last two decades, variety of agrifood applications have been developed across the globe such as novel foods, food packaging, flavorings, food and feed additives, and pesticides. However, there are several characteristics unique to nanomaterials that pose serious health and environment risks that generate concerns regarding the use of nanotechnology in the agrifood sector. Applications of nanotechnology in the agrifood domain also raise ethical concerns with respect to the general ethical principles such as respect for autonomy, integrity, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. At present, there are a lot of uncertainties around the usage of nanomaterials and nanosystems in the food industry, as they are still under research and analysis and have not been characterized thoroughly. These concerns are likely to influence the regulatory and governance landscape of agrifood nanotechnology. Legislation and regulations on nanotechnologies are still evolving, as are understanding what data are needed for effective, efficient, and appropriate risk assessment associated with nanotechnology impacted foods. European Union has become the first governing body in the world to develop nano-specific regulations. However, in general, there is a need for legal coherence adapting sectoral regulations in the agrifood sector. Absence of complete knowledge about the nanomaterials and lack of risk assessment data and methodology have compelled the European regulators to rely on a mix of statutory laws, soft laws, and technology platforms. Building capacity in the regulatory agencies, international harmonization of risk assessment procedures, clear communication with the consumers, application of soft laws or alternate governance platforms, and integration of social and ethical aspects (SEAs) early in research and development (R&D) of agrifood applications of nanotechnology can lead to the development and implementation of a more inclusive and harmonized regulatory consensus across Europe and in the world.

Abstract

Nanotechnology holds a promise to bring profound transformations and revolutionize the agriculture and food sector with the potential to increase agricultural productivity, food security, and economic growth for industries. Nanotechnology has been increasingly applied in the agrifood sector. In the last two decades, variety of agrifood applications have been developed across the globe such as novel foods, food packaging, flavorings, food and feed additives, and pesticides. However, there are several characteristics unique to nanomaterials that pose serious health and environment risks that generate concerns regarding the use of nanotechnology in the agrifood sector. Applications of nanotechnology in the agrifood domain also raise ethical concerns with respect to the general ethical principles such as respect for autonomy, integrity, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. At present, there are a lot of uncertainties around the usage of nanomaterials and nanosystems in the food industry, as they are still under research and analysis and have not been characterized thoroughly. These concerns are likely to influence the regulatory and governance landscape of agrifood nanotechnology. Legislation and regulations on nanotechnologies are still evolving, as are understanding what data are needed for effective, efficient, and appropriate risk assessment associated with nanotechnology impacted foods. European Union has become the first governing body in the world to develop nano-specific regulations. However, in general, there is a need for legal coherence adapting sectoral regulations in the agrifood sector. Absence of complete knowledge about the nanomaterials and lack of risk assessment data and methodology have compelled the European regulators to rely on a mix of statutory laws, soft laws, and technology platforms. Building capacity in the regulatory agencies, international harmonization of risk assessment procedures, clear communication with the consumers, application of soft laws or alternate governance platforms, and integration of social and ethical aspects (SEAs) early in research and development (R&D) of agrifood applications of nanotechnology can lead to the development and implementation of a more inclusive and harmonized regulatory consensus across Europe and in the world.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface: Converging technologies from the nanoscale require enhanced ethics VII
  3. Forewords XI
  4. Acknowledgments XVII
  5. Contents XIX
  6. Introduction: Overall vision of ethics in nanotechnology developments XXIII
  7. Embedding ethics in nanomedicine: Europe acted promptly XXIX
  8. List of contributing authors XXXIX
  9. About the editors XLIII
  10. Part I: International reflection
  11. 1 Toward a revitalized vision of ethics and safety for the revolutionary nanotechnologies 1
  12. Part II: Nanotechnology expansions raising ethical concerns
  13. 2 Nanotechnology in agrifood sector: Ethical, regulatory, and governance landscape in EU 25
  14. 3 Defining nanoscience and nano-ethics: why does the future need nanoproducts? 59
  15. 4 Streaching the notion of moral responsibility in nanoelectronics by appying AI 75
  16. 5 Risk screening tools for engineered nanomaterials 89
  17. 6 Nano-ethics: A view from a developing country 109
  18. Part III: Nanotechnology philosophy: Dilemmas and ethical issues
  19. 7 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 121
  20. 8 Ethical imperatives towards the development prospects of the triad of Dentistry 4.0, dental engineering, and nanoengineering 157
  21. 9 Debate: Nanoparticles – a blessing or a curse? 249
  22. 10 The broad spectrum of ethics in nanoscience and nanotechnology: A reflection from scientific research to the media 269
  23. Part IV: Ethical recommendations for promising technology
  24. 11 From big statements to anecdotal and incremental regulation: Nanotechnology and the law in the EU 281
  25. 12 Emerging nanoregulations: zapping the mythical absence of nanotechnology law 297
  26. 13 Contemporary global bioethical challenges of innovation in nanoscience and nanotechnologies. Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals 311
  27. 14 Nanotechnology and ethics in dialogue 325
  28. 15 Revitalizing nano-ethics: Nanotechnology at the center of nano-ethics 337
  29. 16 Reflections on nano-ethics the way forward toward equitable and safe nanotechnology for all 349
  30. Conclusion 355
  31. Index 359
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110719932-002

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface: Converging technologies from the nanoscale require enhanced ethics VII
  3. Forewords XI
  4. Acknowledgments XVII
  5. Contents XIX
  6. Introduction: Overall vision of ethics in nanotechnology developments XXIII
  7. Embedding ethics in nanomedicine: Europe acted promptly XXIX
  8. List of contributing authors XXXIX
  9. About the editors XLIII
  10. Part I: International reflection
  11. 1 Toward a revitalized vision of ethics and safety for the revolutionary nanotechnologies 1
  12. Part II: Nanotechnology expansions raising ethical concerns
  13. 2 Nanotechnology in agrifood sector: Ethical, regulatory, and governance landscape in EU 25
  14. 3 Defining nanoscience and nano-ethics: why does the future need nanoproducts? 59
  15. 4 Streaching the notion of moral responsibility in nanoelectronics by appying AI 75
  16. 5 Risk screening tools for engineered nanomaterials 89
  17. 6 Nano-ethics: A view from a developing country 109
  18. Part III: Nanotechnology philosophy: Dilemmas and ethical issues
  19. 7 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 121
  20. 8 Ethical imperatives towards the development prospects of the triad of Dentistry 4.0, dental engineering, and nanoengineering 157
  21. 9 Debate: Nanoparticles – a blessing or a curse? 249
  22. 10 The broad spectrum of ethics in nanoscience and nanotechnology: A reflection from scientific research to the media 269
  23. Part IV: Ethical recommendations for promising technology
  24. 11 From big statements to anecdotal and incremental regulation: Nanotechnology and the law in the EU 281
  25. 12 Emerging nanoregulations: zapping the mythical absence of nanotechnology law 297
  26. 13 Contemporary global bioethical challenges of innovation in nanoscience and nanotechnologies. Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals 311
  27. 14 Nanotechnology and ethics in dialogue 325
  28. 15 Revitalizing nano-ethics: Nanotechnology at the center of nano-ethics 337
  29. 16 Reflections on nano-ethics the way forward toward equitable and safe nanotechnology for all 349
  30. Conclusion 355
  31. Index 359
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 22.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110719932-002/html
Scroll to top button