15 Revitalizing nano-ethics: Nanotechnology at the center of nano-ethics
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Rune Nydal
Abstract
The chapter revisits the discussions on the need for nano-ethics as a particular field of ethics. Many authors argued that there was nothing morally specific to the field of nanotechnology. Nano-ethics should consequently be developed alongside - and built on work done in - other branches of applied ethics (like bioethics). Nano-ethics, however, came to be presented as a “new ethics”: one that focused on process rather than product; an ethic 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 were 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 nano-ethics lost its initial momentum. As nano-ethics 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 nano-ethics. As nanotechnology is normalized, it is important to revitalize nano-ethics by re-introducing 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 nano-ethics as a particular field of ethics. Many authors argued that there was nothing morally specific to the field of nanotechnology. Nano-ethics should consequently be developed alongside - and built on work done in - other branches of applied ethics (like bioethics). Nano-ethics, however, came to be presented as a “new ethics”: one that focused on process rather than product; an ethic 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 were 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 nano-ethics lost its initial momentum. As nano-ethics 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 nano-ethics. As nanotechnology is normalized, it is important to revitalize nano-ethics by re-introducing 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 XXIX
- List of contributing authors XXXIX
- About the editors XLIII
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Part I: International reflection
- 1 Toward a revitalized vision of ethics and safety for the revolutionary nanotechnologies 1
-
Part II: Nanotechnology expansions raising ethical concerns
- 2 Nanotechnology in agrifood sector: Ethical, regulatory, and governance landscape in EU 25
- 3 Defining nanoscience and nano-ethics: why does the future need nanoproducts? 59
- 4 Streaching the notion of moral responsibility in nanoelectronics by appying AI 75
- 5 Risk screening tools for engineered nanomaterials 89
- 6 Nano-ethics: A view from a developing country 109
-
Part III: Nanotechnology philosophy: Dilemmas and ethical issues
- 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
- 8 Ethical imperatives towards the development prospects of the triad of Dentistry 4.0, dental engineering, and nanoengineering 157
- 9 Debate: Nanoparticles – a blessing or a curse? 249
- 10 The broad spectrum of ethics in nanoscience and nanotechnology: A reflection from scientific research to the media 269
-
Part IV: Ethical recommendations for promising technology
- 11 From big statements to anecdotal and incremental regulation: Nanotechnology and the law in the EU 281
- 12 Emerging nanoregulations: zapping the mythical absence of nanotechnology law 297
- 13 Contemporary global bioethical challenges of innovation in nanoscience and nanotechnologies. Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals 311
- 14 Nanotechnology and ethics in dialogue 325
- 15 Revitalizing nano-ethics: Nanotechnology at the center of nano-ethics 337
- 16 Reflections on nano-ethics the way forward toward equitable and safe nanotechnology for all 349
- Conclusion 355
- Index 359
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 XXIX
- List of contributing authors XXXIX
- About the editors XLIII
-
Part I: International reflection
- 1 Toward a revitalized vision of ethics and safety for the revolutionary nanotechnologies 1
-
Part II: Nanotechnology expansions raising ethical concerns
- 2 Nanotechnology in agrifood sector: Ethical, regulatory, and governance landscape in EU 25
- 3 Defining nanoscience and nano-ethics: why does the future need nanoproducts? 59
- 4 Streaching the notion of moral responsibility in nanoelectronics by appying AI 75
- 5 Risk screening tools for engineered nanomaterials 89
- 6 Nano-ethics: A view from a developing country 109
-
Part III: Nanotechnology philosophy: Dilemmas and ethical issues
- 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
- 8 Ethical imperatives towards the development prospects of the triad of Dentistry 4.0, dental engineering, and nanoengineering 157
- 9 Debate: Nanoparticles – a blessing or a curse? 249
- 10 The broad spectrum of ethics in nanoscience and nanotechnology: A reflection from scientific research to the media 269
-
Part IV: Ethical recommendations for promising technology
- 11 From big statements to anecdotal and incremental regulation: Nanotechnology and the law in the EU 281
- 12 Emerging nanoregulations: zapping the mythical absence of nanotechnology law 297
- 13 Contemporary global bioethical challenges of innovation in nanoscience and nanotechnologies. Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals 311
- 14 Nanotechnology and ethics in dialogue 325
- 15 Revitalizing nano-ethics: Nanotechnology at the center of nano-ethics 337
- 16 Reflections on nano-ethics the way forward toward equitable and safe nanotechnology for all 349
- Conclusion 355
- Index 359
