In Pursuit of Nanoethics

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.

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.

Global governance focus (including authors from a number of global organisations) Exploration of the nanotechnology-biotechnology convergence Transatlantic perspective (deliberate inclusion of global perspectives from US, Europe and developing world). Interdisciplinary approach to issues drawing on authors from across the natural sciences and social sciences Balanced framing of nanoethics as an emerging discipline associated with, but distinct from other branches of applied ethics

Auteur
Bert Gordijn is Chair of Ethics and Director of the Ethics Institute at Dublin City University. He has studied Philosophy and History at the Universities of Utrecht (Netherlands), Strasbourg (France) and Freiburg in Breisgau (Germany). In 1995 he was awarded a doctorate in Philosophy; in 2003 he received a doctorate in Bioethics. He was a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics at Lancaster University (UK), the Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown University (USA) and the Fondation Brocher (Switzerland). Bert is Editor-in-Chief of the academic book series The International Library of Ethics, Law and Technology (published by Springer). In addition he is Editor-in-Chief of two peer reviewed journals: Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy (also published by Springer) and Studies in Ethics, Law and Technology (published by Berkeley Electronic Press). Bert has been appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board of the European Patent Organization, the External Science Advisory Panel to the Long-Range Research Initiative of the European Chemical Industry Council and has served on the UNESCO expert committee on ethics and nanotechnology.

Texte du rabat
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.

Contenu

Introduction: Conceptions of Nanoethics;

Part I: Nanotechnology, Innovation and Industry .

1: Intellectual Property Issues in Nanotechnology;

2: Commercialisation and global access to nanotechnology;

3: Nanotechnology and the Biotech Market;

Part II: Nanotechnology and Society.

4: Risk perceptions in NanoTechnology;

5: Communicating Nanotechnology;

6: Nanotechnology as the new GMO?;

Part III: Nanotechnology and Health.

7: The case for NanoMedicine ;

8: The perils of NanoMedicine;

9: Nanotechnology & Genomics;

Part IV: Nanotechnology and the Environment.

10: The environmental impact of nanotechnology;

11: Nanotechnology as a tool against pollution;

12: Nanotechnology and Biodiversity;

Part V: Nanotechnology and Security.

13: Nanotechnology and Surveillance;

14: Nanotechnology and Terrorism;

15: Nanotechnology and the Battlefield;

Part VI: The Governance of Nanotechnology.

16: Nanotechnology & Global Health;

17: Nanotechnology & World Development;

18: Nanotechnology and Converging Technologies;

Outlook. Towards a nano-future?;