Skip to main content

In Pursuit of Nanoethics: An Introduction

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
In Pursuit of Nanoethics

Part of the book series: The International Library of Ethics, Law and Technology ((ELTE,volume 10))

Abstract

This chapter is an introduction to the volume at hand. The book 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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Beyleveld, D., and R. Brownsword. 2012. Emerging technologies, extreme uncertainty, and the principle of rational precautionary reasoning. Law Innovation and Technology 4(1): 35–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brey, P.A.E. 2012. Anticipatory ethics for emerging technologies. NanoEthics 6: 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collingridge, D. 1980. The social control of technology. New York: St. Martin’s Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drexler, K.E. 1986. Engines of creation. The coming era of nanotechnology. New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday.

    Google Scholar 

  • ETC. 2003. The Big Down: Technologies converging at the nano-scale. http://www.etcgroup.org/documents/TheBigDown.pdf. Accessed 11 Aug 2012.

  • Gordijn, B. 2005. Nanoethics. From apocalyptic nightmares and utopian dreams towards a more balanced view. Science and Engineering Ethics 11(4): 521–533. 14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gordijn, B. 2006. Converging NBIC technologies for improving human performance: A critical assessment of the novelty and the prospects of the project. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 34(4): 726–732.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gordijn, B., R. De Vries, and D.P. O’Mathúna. 2011. Ethical issues in nanotechnology. In The SAGE handbook of health care ethics, ed. R. Chadwick, H.A.M.J. Ten Have, and E. Meslin, 402–412. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenpeace, Nanotechnology. 2004. www.greenpeace-org.uk. Accessed 11 Aug 2012.

  • Joy, B. 2000. Why the future doesn’t need us. Wired. 8.04 http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy.html. Accessed 11 Aug 2012.

  • Lenk, Ch., and N. Biller-Andorno. 2007. Nanomedicine-emerging or re-emerging ethical issues? A discussion of four ethical themes. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 10: 173–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucivero, F., T. Swierstra, and M. Boenink. 2011. Assessing expectations: Towards a toolbox for an ethics of emerging technologies. NanoEthics 5: 129–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moor, J.H. 2005. Why we need better ethics for emerging technologies. Ethics and Information Technology 7(3): 111–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). 2007, December. Strategic plan. Prepared by the Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology; the Committee on Technology, and the National Science and Technology Council. http://www.nano.gov/NNI_Strategic_Plan_2007.pdf. Accessed 11 Aug 2012.

  • Patenaude, J., G.A. Legault, J.-P. Béland, M. Parent, and P. Boissy. 2011. Moral arguments in the debate over nanotechnologies: Are we talking past each other? NanoEthics 5: 285–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. 1992. http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=78&ArticleID=1163. Accessed 11 Aug 2012.

  • Roco, M.C. 2004. Science and technology integration for increased human potential and societal outcomes. In The coevolution of human potential and converging technologies, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 1013, ed. M.C. Roco and C.D. Montemagno, 1–16. New York: New York Academy of Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roco, M.C., and W.S. Bainbridge. 2003. Overview. Converging technologies for improving human performance. Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (NBIC). In NBIC convergence for improving human performance. Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science, ed. M.C. Roco and W.S. Bainbridge, 1–27. Dordrecht/Boston/London: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers-Hayden, T., et al. 2007. Introduction: Engaging with nanotechnologies – Engaging differently? NanoEthics 1: 123–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schummer, J. 2006. Cultural diversity in nanotechnology ethics. Interdisciplinary Science Reviews 31(3): 217–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shrader-Frechette, K. 2007. Nanotoxicology and ethical conditions. NanoEthics 1: 47–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taniguchi, N. 1974. On the basic concept of Nano-Technology. In Proceedings of international conference on production engineering, Part II, 18–23. 9. Tokyo: Japan Society of Precision Engineering.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weckert, J. 2007. Editorial. NanoEthics 1: 1–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bert Gordijn .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gordijn, B., Cutter, A.M. (2014). In Pursuit of Nanoethics: An Introduction. In: Gordijn, B., Cutter, A. (eds) In Pursuit of Nanoethics. The International Library of Ethics, Law and Technology, vol 10. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6817-1_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics