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Position Statement of the Commission de l'éthique de la science et de la technologie nanotubes or fullerenes—or its specific surface effects. Moreover, the U.S. Institute of Medicine mentions in a 2005 report that it still remains to be determined whether or not these particles are actually new substances. 189 The terminological vagueness and lack of a common scientific nomenclature among the various players in the field—evident in research work and the published scientific literature—demonstrates the creativity and speed with which knowledge is generated. Although not necessarily an obstacle to fundamental research, the lack of a standardized scientific vocabulary could eventually hinder development in the field. It is important to have an internationally recognized terminology and nomenclature agreed upon by the various stakeholders in the field in order to transfer knowledge through training, facilitate communications between scientists with different training and cultural backgrounds or with the general public, facilitate new consumer product development and commercialization, and set guidelines for the sector. 190 Such standardization would present numerous advantages: It would make it easier to index articles published in the various specialized magazines likely to cover nanoscience and nanotechnology, it would make it easier to popularize the terminology for the media and laypeople while promoting a dialog with the public, and it would also help clarify regulations that could apply to nanotechnology activities. This would help all those concerned to readily understand what the law is referring to, 191 particularly in the event of legal disputes. In 2005, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) created three committees dedicated to developing standards for “terminology and nomenclature; metrology and instrumentation, including specifications for reference materials; test methodologies; modeling and simulation; and science-based health, safety, and environmental practices.” 192 Moreover, Canada chairs the terminology and nomenclature committee. The results of these efforts will most certainly contribute informed decision making with regard to nanotechnology research, monitoring, use, production, and consumption. Also of note is Québec’s prime role in contributing to the development and dissemination of French terminology for use in the scientific and commercial development of nanotechnology, where English predominates. Cooperation between NanoQuébec and Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) during preparation of this position statement led to the posting of the OQLF nanotechnology vocabulary on the NanoQuébec website in addition to its inclusion in Le grand dictionnaire terminologique. OQLF is also working in partnership with various European countries to develop a multilingual nanotechnology vocabulary. 189 INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE (United States), op. cit., p. xii. 190 See, among others, EUROPEAN COMMISSION. COMMUNITY HEALTH AND CONSUMER PROTECTION, Nanotechnologies: A Preliminary Risk Analysis…, op. cit., p. 24-25 [online] http://europa.eu.int/comm/ health/ph_risk/events_risk_en.htm; Jean-Pierre DUPUY and François ROURE, Les nanotechnologies : éthique et prospective industrielle, Tome 1, Conseil général des mines and Conseil général des technologies de l’information, section « Innovation et Entreprise », November 15, 2004, p. 5 [online] http://www.cgm.org/ themes/deveco/develop/nanofinal.pdf; MERIDIAN INSTITUTE and NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, International Dialogue on Responsible Research and Development of Nanotechnology, Virginie, June 17–18, 2004, p. 8 and 11 [online] http://www.nanoandthepoor.org/Final_Report_ Responsible_ Nanotech_RD_040812.pdf. 191 INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE (United States), op. cit., p. 42-43 ; SWISS RE, op. cit., p. 85. 192 INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ORGANISATION – ISO, “ISO launches work on nanotechnology standards,” press release, November 28, 2005 [online] http://www.iso.org/iso/en/commcentre/pressreleases/archives/ 2005/Ref980.html. 46 Ethics and Nanotechnology: A Basis for Action
Position Statement of the Commission de l'éthique de la science et de la technologie The importance of establishing procedures and standards In order to determine the levels of acceptable risk, the potential dangers to human health and the environment need to be identified and quantified. Currently, “science has no methodologies needed to assess the toxicity of all of these new products on short deadlines and at reasonable costs.” 193 In addition, the tests used do not indicate which physical property of a given nanotechnology component is responsible for the toxicity of the material examined. 194 It will be difficult to determine whether a product with a new nanoscale component needs to be retested if the original product has already been certified. 195 This underscores the importance of establishing procedures and standards to… • Make it possible to replicate and nanotechnology test hypotheses and research findings • Facilitate risk assessments and quality control • Make it possible to develop suitable health and safety requirements However, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency points out, these procedures and standards cannot be developed as long as there are no adequate nomenclature agreements 196 and nanometrology instruments likely to provide consistent, uniform measurements. The pursuit of research and the dissemination of results While uncertainties remain regarding the safety of nanoparticles, there are also very few guidelines on issues such as how to steer clear of products containing nanoparticles. 197 One of the major problems raised in the literature is the shortage of data on synthetic nanoparticles. Nanotechnology experts advise against relying solely on existing data, which mainly concerns natural* or incidental* nanoparticles. 198 As mentioned in the IRSST report on the health effects of nanoparticles, “the toxicological data specific to nanoparticles remains insufficient due to the small number of studies, the short exposure period, the different composition of the nanoparticles tested (diameter, length and agglomeration), […] etc.” 199 Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that in the summer of 2005 the International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) created a databank of articles dealing with the health and environmental impact of nanomaterials. 200 This directory of scientific publications is 193 INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE ROBERT-SAUVÉ EN SANTÉ ET EN SÉCURITÉ DU TRAVAIL – IRSST, Health Effects of Nanoparticles, op. cit., p. ii. 194 THE ROYAL SOCIETY & THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING (United Kingdom), op. cit., p. 48. 195 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY – EPA (United States), op. cit., p. 26. 196 Ibid. 197 SCIENCE-METRIX, Canadian Stewardship Practices for Environmental Nanotechnology, op. cit., p. 2. 198 INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE (United States), op. cit., p. 2. 199 INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE ROBERT-SAUVÉ EN SANTÉ ET EN SÉCURITÉ DU TRAVAIL – IRSST, Health Effects of Nanoparticles, op. cit., p. ii. 200 Accessible at the following address: http://icon.rice.edu/research.cfm. Chapter 3 – Nanotechnology: Ethical Concerns 47
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COMMISSION DE L’ÉTHIQUE DE LA SC
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Commission de l’éthique de la sc
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TABLE OF CONTENTS List of acronyms.
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Position Statement of the Commissio
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APPENDIX 2 Summary of applications
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APPENDIX 3 Proposed taxonomy of the
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The Consultation and Information Ac
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MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION DE L’É
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