| What is Nanotechnology and why should I care about | | | | nano-machines can become self replicating, theories |
| it? | | | | abound that their by-product, known in scientific |
| Nanotechnology, referred to commonly as molecular | | | | circles as "the gray-goo scenario", could result in |
| manufacturing, is making huge strides within scientific | | | | unheard of havoc. In addition nanotechnology has the |
| and government communities. Despite its growth and | | | | potential to erode our privacy and freedom by |
| the potential impact it will have on society at large, | | | | providing human rights violations via monitoring and |
| too little emphasis has been placed on the ethical | | | | tracking devices that can invade our everyday lives |
| considerations of nanotechnology and the | | | | without our knowledge. |
| ever-rippling effects of its applications. | | | | For this reason the social and ethical issues relevant |
| The control of molecular matter has led to amazing | | | | to nanotechnology must be addressed before its |
| breakthroughs in medical treatments, which of course | | | | many technological innovations are unleashed upon |
| is a benefit to mankind. However, the military is hard | | | | society. |
| at work creating powerful weapons that are no | | | | Every action has a reaction and nanotechnology is no |
| larger than any known bacteria. In addition, molecular | | | | different. Whether the anticipated power of |
| level surveillance techniques for surreptitiously keeping | | | | nanotechnology ever reaches fruition, as a society |
| track of other organizations and individuals are | | | | we must be prepared to deal with any fallout that |
| changing the face of military, law enforcement and | | | | may arise from its inception and universal acceptance. |
| humankind in general. | | | | There is no doubt that development of |
| Just like with human genome capability and stem cell | | | | nanotechnology and its many proven advantages, is |
| research breakthroughs, scientists, governments and | | | | going to continue, yet as a responsible society we |
| individuals need to weigh the obvious advantages of | | | | must prepare a social policy that will address the |
| nanotechnology against the residual disadvantages. | | | | benefits in correlation with the ethical consequences |
| Although the power of nanotechnology is | | | | of it effect on life as we know it. |
| indisputable, the possibilities of irreversible harm from | | | | Why should society be concerned with the Fallout? |
| its indiscriminate use must also be taken into | | | | When trying to incorporate nano-technological |
| consideration. | | | | advances into society, there are a myriad of items |
| What are the Social and Ethical Implications of | | | | that require intensive study, such as: issues regarding |
| Nanotechnology? | | | | equity of disbursement, privacy rights of individuals |
| This is where social and ethical dilemmas present | | | | and/or corporations, security considerations, the |
| themselves. As life saving tools, nanotechnology is | | | | effect on the environment and the social and ethical |
| unsurpassed in its promise of an absolute revolution | | | | impact on the human race. |
| for medical treatment of previously incurable or | | | | As responsible humans who are concerned with |
| untreatable conditions. | | | | passing a legacy of improvement down to upcoming |
| Conversely, when this technology is used to | | | | generations, it is essential that we develop and |
| manufacture miniature weapons or explosives the | | | | create guidelines and working hypotheses that |
| infinite possibilities of far-reaching repercussions is a | | | | address the far reaching impact that nanotechnology |
| very real prospect. Given that researchers fear that | | | | can have on human lives and on the universe itself. |