Nanotechnology, ethics and society
Nanotechnology refers to the engineering branch whose goal is to enable manipulation of materials at the atomic level for the purpose of building electromechanical devices as small as possible considering the physical matter limitations (Chen, n.d). Nanotechnology can be a very influential force to ever control the technology sector ever since the advent of internet due to the many changes it would bring about (Chen, n.d).
In most cases, discussions on ethical and social issues touching on new technologies are regarded as afterthoughts or as hindrances to innovation. Nanotechnology comes with a myriad of ethical and social issues related to environmental matters , human enhancement and the tendency of human beings to look up to technology to solve problems instead of changes in other areas such as behavioral shift (Sandler,2009). This technology has the great potential of contributing towards human development in ways that can be considered environmentally sustainable and socially just. On other hand, nanotechnology may not realize the intended full potential unless attention is focused on its ethical and social issues. As such, there is normally the need to recognize the important roles played ethics to ensure responsible technology development and dispelling various misunderstanding about issues related to emerging nanotechnologies. Another issue is the provision of ethical and social issues typology related to emerging technologies and identification of various certain aspects within every type and an emphasizes on how these issues overlap with societal expectations(Sandler,2009).
Nanotechnology can have various benefits which are achieved after thorough research is carried out in both the developed and developing nations. Some of the potential benefits involve manufacturing, environmental conservation and enhancement in medical field research and treatment. In the manufacturing sector, nanotechnology can transform the miniaturization, material reuse or recycle and precision manufacturing. In the medicine field, this technology can be used in pharmaceutical creation, treatment of various diseases and in nano-machine-assisted surgery (Chen, n.d). In the societal efforts to conserve the environment, nanotechnology can be applied in cleaning up of toxins, recycling of waste or used materials and in reducing the consumption of resources in various the industrial sectors. In addition, with this technology, nano-machines can be used to enhance design and synthesizing pharmaceuticals and treat chronic diseases such as cancer directly (Chen, n.d). The technology can also be used in better monitoring a patient’s life signs or in making microscopic repairs in areas of the body that are hard to operate. Environmentally nano-machines can be used in cleaning up of oils spills or toxins elimination of landfills and recycling of garbage and therefore reducing the consumption of natural resources (Sandler, 2009). These benefits indicate the positive implications of nanotechnology in addressing the various issues affecting the society. The aim of technology should be to transform the society through addressing the various issues that are affecting it.
Since this technology cannot be done in a vacuum, it can have profound effects in the society which can raise ethical issues just like any other technology. Its negative effects will have to face push back from the society in form of funding, regulation, public acceptance and even its progress. This will depend on the potential dangers that can be associated with it such extension of weapon capability , building nano-machines that are self-implicating and unauthorized tracking and monitoring which can be considered unethical. With the potential of such immense potential dangers, the technology needs to be examined in terms of its possible implications (UNESCO, 2006). Granted, it may not be as prolific and powerful as envisioned by opponents, but as with the case of any potential, extreme technology, there is a need to formulate solutions to ethical issues that may arise before the adoption of this technology by society becomes irreversible. This consideration should take into account social related issues that can result from the intersection of nanotechnologies with institutional or social problematic features that from the basis of from which nanotechnologies emerge. Such issues comprises of privacy or security, exposure to environmental dangers or lack of enough protection for consumer safety (Hunt & Mehta, 2013).
Ethical issues related to nano-technology include the contested moral aspects which result from the interaction of this technology with activities or practices that are morally controversial that the public believe should not be allowed. These include the artificial organisms’ construction, development of biological weapons, synthetic biology and modification of human beings biologically. These issues can form a strong ethical basis for organization representing public interests lobbying for introduction of stiff regulations to limit the application of this technology (UNESCO, 2006). In addition, if the research on nanotechnology can be done in secrets from the scrutiny by the public, it can be manipulated to feed the desires of few researchers at the expense of the larger public. In addition, if such technology can fall in the wrong hands, it may results in catastrophic implications to existence of human life.
In conclusion, nanotechnology can have far reaching positive effects on the many challenges facing the society. It also be a leap forward in the technological front given the contribution it would have in the manufacturing, medicine and environmental fields if science. However, for it to be considered ethically acceptable in the society regulations will have to be enacted.
References
UNESCO,(2006). The Ethics and Politics of Nanotechnology. 13-14. Available at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001459/145951e.pdf
Sandler, R. (2009) .Nanotechnology. The Social and Ethical Issues. Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. 7-10. Available at: http://www.nanotechproject.org/process/assets/files/7060/nano_pen16_final.pdf
Hunt,G., Mehta, M.(2013) .Nanotechnology: "Risk, Ethics and Law”. Taylor & Francis. 183-196.
Chen, A.(n.d). The Ethics of Nanotechnology.1. Available at: https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/technology-ethics/resources/the-ethics-of-nanotechnology/
