Nano(bio)technology: ethical aspects

1. Nano(bio)technology:ethical aspects Dr. Johann S. Ach Bioethics Centre (CfB), University of Münster

2. Background • What is Nano(bio)technology? • The futuristic discussion • The realistic discussion • In need of Nano-Ethics?

3. 1 Background • Results of a literature survey on ethical issues of NBT prepared at the CfB • comissioned by the ethics board of Nano2Life • Nano2Life is a European Network of Excellence, 23 partners from 12 European Countries • no in-depth analysis but a study of the current status of the discussion

4. 2 What is Nano(bio)technology? • „Nanotechnologies are the design, characterisation, production and application of structures, devices and systems by controlling shape and size at the nanometre scale“ (Royal Society & Royal Academy of Engineering 2004) • No commonly accepted definition of NT/NBT • NT as a toolbox • NBT as a toolbox of techniques for analysis, design, synthesis and engineering of organic and anorganic systems at the nanoscale

5. Current and possible applications of NT/NBT • current: Sunscreens and cosmetics; composites; clays; coatings and surfaces; tougher and harder cutting tools • short-term: paints; remediation; fuel cells; displays; batteries; fuel additives; catalysts • longer-term: carbon nanotube composites; lubricants; magnetic materials; medical implants; machinable cheramics; water purification; military battle suits Source: Royal Society & Royal Academy of Engineering 2004

6. 3 The futuristic discussion • lego-argument: Can we build everything from single atoms? (→ nanobots, nanoassembler) • apocalypse-argument: Devastation of men and earth (→ grey, green and black goo-scenarios)? • cyborg-argument: men and mashines (→ transhumanism) •  powerful visions, which will shape the future development of NT, even if there realizabilty is highly questionable

7. 4 The realistic discussion • Biomedical Ethics • Enviromental concerns • Impacts on Society • Anthropological concerns

8. Biomedical Ethics • gap between diagnostic and therapeutic options (→DNA-chips) • discrimination (→ individualization of diagnosis and therapy; →“cultural groups”, e.g deaf community) • confidentiality, data protection, privacy (→ nano-sensoric in vivo-diagnostic devices; →technologies that enable rapid identification, location tracking, and condition monitoring through implantable microchips)

9. Impacts on Society • equity • nano devide • intellectual Property • dual use (→ military or terrorist ab/use of NT)

10. 2001 one third of the budget of the national Nanotechnology Initiative was spent by the Department of Defence.

11. Enviromental concerns • impacts on the enviroment • release of nanoparticles (→ risk assessment; what practical consequences should follow? moratorium? precautionary principle?)

12. Anthropological aspects • reductionism (→ the human body as a complex nanomaschine?) • enhancement (→ intelligence or sensory ‘amplifyers’) • nature of the human being (→ human-mashine-interface)

13. 5 In need of Nano-Ethics? • Debate on ELSA of NT/NBT is just beginning • Many of the ethical and social challanges of NT/NBT are well known from other discussions – but • old questions need not necessarily are bad questions – and • many of them appear in a quite new light. •  Maybe no Nano-Ethics – but • ethical reflection on NT/NBT – and • the so called converging orNBIC-technologies

14. 6 References • Ach, Johann S. / Jömann, Norbert: Size Matters. Ethische und soziale Herausforderungen der Nanobiotechnologie. Eine Übersicht. In: Jahrbuch für Wissenschaft und Ethik 10, 2005 (forthcoming). • Ach, Johann S. / Siep, Ludwig (Hgg.): Nano-Bio-Ethics. Ethical Dimensions of Nanobiotechnolgy. Münster: Lit 2006 (forthcoming). • Paschen, H. et al.: Nanotechnologie. Forschung, Entwicklung, Anwendung. Berlin/New York: Springer 2004. • Royal Society & Royal Academy of Engineering: Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties. London 2004. • TA Swiss: Nanotechnologie in der Medizin. Bern 2003.

15. Thank you for your attention.