Position Statement of the <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>de</strong> l'éthique <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> <strong>science</strong> <strong>et</strong> <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> technologie that it is impossible today to predict all the applications that are to come and what repercussions these applications could have <strong>for</strong> Québec and the rest of the world. Serious reflection on the <strong>et</strong>hical and social issues raised by technology is only beginning and it is important to continue thinking, discussing, expressing views on nanotechnology and the best way to ensure its harmonious <strong>de</strong>velopment. That is why the <strong>Commission</strong> sees the need to continue addressing more focused questions about the responsible management of nanotechnology that the State could raise, as it will have to make <strong>de</strong>cision regarding this field in the future. xx Ethics and Nanotechnology: A <strong>Basis</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Action</strong>
INTRODUCTION Nanotechnology* 1 first appeared on the public scene in Québec in 2001 with NanoQuébec, created in the wake of recommendations by Conseil <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> <strong>science</strong> <strong>et</strong> <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> technologie in a position statement entitled Les nanotechnologies: <strong>la</strong> maîtrise <strong>de</strong> l’infiniment p<strong>et</strong>it 2 [Nanotechnology: Mastering the Infinitely Small] published the same year. This infrastructure enabled Québec to join the international movement already un<strong>de</strong>rway to ensure nanotechnology <strong>de</strong>velopment and promotion; today, Québec is consi<strong>de</strong>red a lea<strong>de</strong>r in Canada. 3 Noting that over 175 university researchers and some <strong>for</strong>ty SMEs in Québec are involved in nanotechnology, 4 and as more and more products <strong>de</strong>rived from nanotechnology become avai<strong>la</strong>ble on the mark<strong>et</strong>, <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>de</strong> l’éthique <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> <strong>science</strong> <strong>et</strong> <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> technologie <strong>de</strong>ci<strong>de</strong>d to explore the <strong>et</strong>hical issues raised by nanotechnology <strong>de</strong>velopment and innovation. With nanotechnology, the <strong>Commission</strong> has discovered a scientific world that is fascinating, but also highly complex and scattered, particu<strong>la</strong>rly due to its highly multidisciplinary nature. It is also an emerging field that provi<strong>de</strong>s an opportunity to prepare <strong>for</strong> any problems technological innovation might bring, in or<strong>de</strong>r to offs<strong>et</strong> or minimize certain adverse effects. At the same time, this new field also raises the question of uncertainty and ignorance regarding risk, as research is still limited. Very early in its literature search on the topic and its consultation of experts, the <strong>Commission</strong> realized it would be impossible to assess the <strong>et</strong>hical issues of nanotechnology in as much <strong>de</strong>pth as it would have liked. Given the current state of affairs, it believes this position statement is nevertheless an essential first step toward enlightened and responsible <strong>de</strong>velopment of the field; however, the <strong>Commission</strong> should continue its work as the field evolves. While the prefix “nano” has leaked into popu<strong>la</strong>r <strong>la</strong>nguage, mainly through advertising that uses it to <strong>de</strong>scribe very small objects not <strong>de</strong>rived from nanotechnology per se (like some digital music p<strong>la</strong>yers and children’s building blocks), the very concept of nanotechnology is still unclear to most people. 5 In 1 Terms followed by an asterisk are <strong>de</strong>fined in the glossary at the end of this position statement. 2 CONSEIL DE LA SCIENCE ET DE LA TECHNOLOGIE, Les nanotechnologies: <strong>la</strong> maîtrise <strong>de</strong> l’infiniment p<strong>et</strong>it, Gouvernement du Québec, June 2001 [online; French only, with a summary in English] http://www.cst.gouv.qc.ca. 3 MINISTÈRE DU DÉVELOPPEMENT ÉCONOMIQUE, DE L’INNOVATION ET DE L’EXPORTATION (Québec), “Nanotechnologies au Québec” [online] http://www.m<strong>de</strong>ie.gouv.qc.ca/page/web/portail/<strong>science</strong> Technologie/nav/technologies_strategiques/42648/65662.html?iddoc=65662 4 Ibid. 5 As shown in surveys on the topic. See, among others, Edna F. EINSIEDEL, In the Public Eye: The Early Landscape of Nanotechnology among Canadian and U.S. Publics, Report to the Canadian Biotechnology Secr<strong>et</strong>ariat and the NSERC Nanotechnology Innovation P<strong>la</strong>t<strong>for</strong>m, University of Calgary, undated [online] http://www.azonano.com/D<strong>et</strong>ails.asp?ArticleID=1468; GENOME PRAIRIE (Canada), First Impressions: Un<strong>de</strong>rstanding Public Views on Emerging Technologies, report by the GE 3 LS team at Genome Prairie at the University of Calgary, undated [online] https://bioportal.gc.ca/CMFiles/CBS_Report_FINAL_ FRENCH249SFP-9222005-5789.pdf; Michael COBB and Jane MACOUBRIE, “Public Perceptions about Nanotechnology: Risks, Benefits, and Trust,” Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Vol. 6, No. 4, August 2004 [online] http://www.wilsoncenter.org/events/docs/macoubriereport.pdf. Also see a summary of more recent surveys, presented in Chapter 4 (p. 41–56) of Matthew KEARNES, Phil MACNAGHTEN, and James WILSDON, Governing at the Nanoscale. People, Policies and Emerging Technologies, London, DEMOS, 2006 [online] http://www.<strong>de</strong>mos.co.uk/catalogue/ governingatthenanoscale/. 1
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