A Basis for Action - Commission de l'Ã©thique de la science et de la ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Position Statement of the Commission de l'éthique de la science et de la technologie must spur those involved in promoting nanotechnology and producing nanotechnology-derived products to act responsibly and transparently. Nevertheless, one must not believe that nanotechnology can only lead to doom and ruin. Undue apprehension could result in the untimely demise of budding technologies with extremely positive potential—if used properly. Improving human health through early disease detection and targeted therapy, restoring habitats damaged by human actions, and making more effective use of available resources are just a few examples of the possible positive contributions nanotechnology could make. However, those involved in nanotechnology must be willing to discuss the objectives being pursued and the actions to take for these benefits to be enjoyed, because it is often society as a whole that must deal with the consequences. The Commission comes out of this exercise knowing one thing for certain—that serious reflection on the ethical and social issues raised by technology is only beginning and it is important to continue thinking, discussing, and expressing views on nanotechnology and the best way to ensure their harmonious development. This is why the Commission is willing to continue examining more specific questions the government may have about responsible nanotechnology management as it develops policies and guidelines and makes future decisions in this regard. 86 Ethics and Nanotechnology: A Basis for Action
GLOSSARY ∗ Atomic force microscope – Scanning probe microscope able to image a sample at the atomic and molecular scale by scanning its surface with a probe placed within a few nanometers of it that senses the repulsive or attractive forces of electrons in order to measure dimensional variations in structure or manipulate particles of matter Atomic force microscopy (AFM) – Scanning probe microscopy* in which a sample is imaged at the atomic and molecular scale by scanning its surface with a probe placed within a few nanometers of it that senses the repulsive or attractive forces of electrons in order to measure dimensional variations in structure or manipulate particles of matter. Syn.: scanning force microscopy (SFM) Biochip – Tiny glass, silicon, or plastic disk on which organic molecules are deposited that is used to execute one or more tasks, generally involving the analysis or detection of other molecules. Syn.: biological chip Biological imaging – Set of techniques tied to the study of living organisms that enable the visualization of molecules, cells, and biological processes using radiation produced by electromagnetic or sound waves. Syn.: bioimaging Biomedical engineering – Set of people and intellectual or technical activities (using mechanics, electronics, etc.) that contribute to the development, construction, and maintenance of devices used for medical diagnosis, therapeutics, or artificial organs and systems Biosensor – Sensor that transforms a biological phenomenon into an electric signal that can be analyzed and used for the detection or direct dosage of a biological species Blood-brain barrier – Set of physiological mechanisms that prevent certain substances in the blood from freely passing into the cerebrospinal fluid and the cells of the central nervous system. Syn.: bloodcerebral barrier, BBB Bottom-up approach – Method for manufacturing nanometric components that consists of assembling them from the building blocks of matter, atom by atom or molecule by molecule, until a complete structure able to be integrated into a larger whole is obtained. Syn.: bottom-up, bottom up approach Buckminsterfullerene – Fullerene consisting of 60 carbon atoms grouped together in a stable structure comprising 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons, with a spherical shape reminiscent of a soccer ball. Syn.: bucky ball, buckyball, C 60 fullerene, C 60 molecule, fullerene-60 Cancerogenicity – Property of a substance that can cause cancer. Syn.: carcinogenicity ∗ Unless otherwise indicated, glossary definitions are taken from Le grand dictionnaire terminologique, compiled by Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF). Go to http://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca or http://www.granddictionnaire.com for more details [in French] on these and other nanotechnology-related terms. In collaboration with OQLF, NanoQuébec also features a nanotechnology glossary on its website at http://www.nanoquebec.ca. Certain non-nanotechnology terms are included in the glossary as an aid to reader comprehension of this position statement. Translation is ours. 87
Page 1:
COMMISSION DE L’ÉTHIQUE DE LA SC
Page 4 and 5:
Commission de l’éthique de la sc
Page 7 and 8:
TABLE OF CONTENTS List of acronyms.
Page 9:
Position Statement of the Commissio
Page 12 and 13:
Page 14 and 15:
Page 16 and 17:
Page 18 and 19:
Page 20 and 21:
Page 22 and 23:
Page 24 and 25:
Page 26 and 27:
Page 28 and 29:
Page 30 and 31:
Page 32 and 33:
Page 34 and 35:
Page 36 and 37:
Page 38 and 39:
Page 40 and 41:
Page 42 and 43:
Page 44 and 45:
Page 46 and 47:
Page 48 and 49:
Page 50 and 51:
Page 52 and 53:
Page 54 and 55:
Page 56 and 57:
Page 58 and 59:
Page 60 and 61:
Page 62 and 63: Position Statement of the Commissio
Page 111: CONCLUSION It is with great curiosi
Page 121 and 122: BIBLIOGRAPHY ∗ Sources cited: ABE
Page 143: Position Statement of the Commissio
Page 151 and 152: APPENDIX 2 Summary of applications
Page 153 and 154: APPENDIX 3 Proposed taxonomy of the
Page 155 and 156: The Consultation and Information Ac
Page 157 and 158: MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION DE L’É
show all

A Basis for Action - Commission de l'Ã©thique de la science et de la ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?