Development Ethical and Societal Issues Satyen Baindur PhD

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Stewardship in Nanotechnology Development: Ethical and Societal Issues SATYEN BAINDUR, PHD Ottawa Policy Research Associates, Inc. OPRA Report 2006-4-1 Issued April 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONCLUSION To distinguish among different types of concerns outlined here, and to develop a coherent conceptual scheme to prioritize them, one could use the time scale over which the scenario underlying the concern manifests itself. For example, the concern about potential health and safety risks from nanomaterials is an immediate or near-term concern. It is manifest here and now. This is not to say that some health effects from nanotechnology may not appear a significant time after exposure. It is simply to assert that the concern is already with us, somewhat independently of the extent to which product development in nanotechnology advances. Of course, over time, the concern may change in intensity. Given that it is already present, however, action – in the form of research into health and environmental effects; and precaution, in terms of lessons learned from the past, seem quite warranted. While technological determinism is not the correct paradigm for thinking about the future, some real surprizes (both pleasant and not so pleasant) probably do await us in the products and services, and the economic and social changes that nanotechnology enables, facilitates or causes. There are alternatives to a deterministic view of technological development: for example, a socio-technological process in which social goals drive research, with society determining its needs early in the process, while technologists set technology targets and basic science is directed to meet those technological targets has been suggested. This perspective places the setting of social and ethical goals at the beginning of the technological process, not analyzing the impact at the end of the process. Also, science does not proceed ‘unfettered’ in this view; rather it is directed toward specific ends that have been determined beforehand. A slight modification visualizes an iterative process, with social and ethical considerations being determined on a continuous basis, with a stakeholder process being set in place, collaborations with natural scientists and technologists, and an ongoing evaluation process (Gorman 2004). A policy and foresight structure for nanotechnology development could be built around such a framework. 30 30
Stewardship in Nanotechnology Development: Ethical and Societal Issues SATYEN BAINDUR, PHD Ottawa Policy Research Associates, Inc. OPRA Report 2006-4-1 Issued April 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In addition to having an appropriate policy structure, there is also a need to initiate and promote inclusive dialogues regarding nanotechnology at all levels; to ensure that all stakeholders are respectfully heard; and that all concerns are voiced and acknowledged. In this way, policymaking proceeds with the greatest degree of awareness, and enables the creation of the greatest public good, while stakeholder interests are also appropriately represented. In addition, the ability to act transparently when enough evidence is adduced to motivate a particular course of action also enhances the credibility of the policymaking process across all stakeholder classes. Finally, but importantly, ethical and societal issues can only be dealt with when the knowledge base necessary to think through the issues is nurtured and strengthened. Just as the concerns over biotechnology gave rise to the academic discipline of bioethics, which built upon the existing discipline of medical ethics, a new discipline called ‘nanoethics’ may very well need to come into existence. This discipline would build on traditions in bioethics, among other areas of inquiry, and would consider and incorporate basic ethical principles, both into policies regarding nanotechnology development, as well as in various application contexts for nanotechnology. Such a discipline would thus be able to address ethical issues that surround both the desirability for certain nanotechnology applications to move forward in the first place, as well as issues that arise after certain applications have already developed – such as equitable access and socio-economic impact. 31 31
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Development Ethical and Societal Issues Satyen Baindur PhD

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