List of acronyms
Summary, Recommendations and Commentaries
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 – A NEW AND EMERGING WORLD: THE UNIVERSE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
A world to discover
Nanoscience and nanotechnology: on a nanometer scale
Important aspects to consider: a premise for ethical questioning
The size of nanometric components
The new properties of nanometric matter
Manipulating material
Multidisciplinary approaches and the convergence of disciplines
A general fascination
Main areas of research and innovation
Nanomaterials
Nanoelectronics
Nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine
Nanometrology
Expectations and concerns worth considering
Projected benefits
In the health sector
In the environment sector
In the information technology sector
In the agriculture and food sector
From fiction to reality
The self-replication of nanorobots and global ecophagy
Promises that sometimes prove unrealistic
Raising questions, upholding values
CHAPTER 2 – LOOKING AT METHODS FOR MANAGING THE SECTOR
Risk and nanotechnology
The nature of risks to consider
Assessment and risk management methods: a few observations and questions
The current framework
Canadian statutes and regulations
Québec statutes and regulations
International instruments
Supporting industry
A Basis for Action
Responsible approaches to dealing with risk
The precautionary principle
A few clarifications
Action steps
The “life cycle” approach from the perspective of sustainable development
CHAPTER 3 – NANOTECHNOLOGY: ETHICAL CONCERNS
Fundamental requirements as premises
The need to establish common scientific terminology and nomenclature
The importance of establishing procedures and standards
The pursuit of research and the dissemination of results
Ethical concerns about products derived from nanotechnology
Human health
Health and safety
Protecting the workers
Protecting the public
Health sector applications
Ethics of biomedical research
Diagnostics and therapeutic applications
The environment
Security
In the military sector
A few examples of “nanomilitary” applications
An overview of ethical concerns
In civil society
The convergence of knowledge and technology
Human identity in a context of performance enhancement
Humankind’s relationship with nature
Ethical concerns not limited to nanotechnology
Concerns related to governance
Legitimacy and transparency of the decision-making process
Oversight and accountability measures
Concerns related to economic activity associated with nanotechnology
Ethical choices in the development of Québec economic activity associated with nanotechnology
The nano-divide in a context of globalized markets
Guiding nanotechnology R&D
Possessing nanotechnology expertise
Intellectual property and patent management
Collecting personal information
Concerns related to citizenship and technological innovation
CONCLUSION
Glossary
Bibliography
Recommended Sites
Appendices
Appendix 1 : A few examples of nanotechnology applications
Appendix 2 : Summary of applications areas for nanotechnology
Appendix 3 : Proposed taxonomy of the major issues likely to face nanotechnology in research, development and commercialization in Canada
The Consultation and Information Activities of the Commission
Members of the Commission de l’éthique de la science et de la technologie
Summary, Recommendations and Commentaries
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 – A NEW AND EMERGING WORLD: THE UNIVERSE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
A world to discover
Nanoscience and nanotechnology: on a nanometer scale
Important aspects to consider: a premise for ethical questioning
The size of nanometric components
The new properties of nanometric matter
Manipulating material
Multidisciplinary approaches and the convergence of disciplines
A general fascination
Main areas of research and innovation
Nanomaterials
Nanoelectronics
Nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine
Nanometrology
Expectations and concerns worth considering
Projected benefits
In the health sector
In the environment sector
In the information technology sector
In the agriculture and food sector
From fiction to reality
The self-replication of nanorobots and global ecophagy
Promises that sometimes prove unrealistic
Raising questions, upholding values
CHAPTER 2 – LOOKING AT METHODS FOR MANAGING THE SECTOR
Risk and nanotechnology
The nature of risks to consider
Assessment and risk management methods: a few observations and questions
The current framework
Canadian statutes and regulations
Québec statutes and regulations
International instruments
Supporting industry
A Basis for Action
Responsible approaches to dealing with risk
The precautionary principle
A few clarifications
Action steps
The “life cycle” approach from the perspective of sustainable development
CHAPTER 3 – NANOTECHNOLOGY: ETHICAL CONCERNS
Fundamental requirements as premises
The need to establish common scientific terminology and nomenclature
The importance of establishing procedures and standards
The pursuit of research and the dissemination of results
Ethical concerns about products derived from nanotechnology
Human health
Health and safety
Protecting the workers
Protecting the public
Health sector applications
Ethics of biomedical research
Diagnostics and therapeutic applications
The environment
Security
In the military sector
A few examples of “nanomilitary” applications
An overview of ethical concerns
In civil society
The convergence of knowledge and technology
Human identity in a context of performance enhancement
Humankind’s relationship with nature
Ethical concerns not limited to nanotechnology
Concerns related to governance
Legitimacy and transparency of the decision-making process
Oversight and accountability measures
Concerns related to economic activity associated with nanotechnology
Ethical choices in the development of Québec economic activity associated with nanotechnology
The nano-divide in a context of globalized markets
Guiding nanotechnology R&D
Possessing nanotechnology expertise
Intellectual property and patent management
Collecting personal information
Concerns related to citizenship and technological innovation
CONCLUSION
Glossary
Bibliography
Recommended Sites
Appendices
Appendix 1 : A few examples of nanotechnology applications
Appendix 2 : Summary of applications areas for nanotechnology
Appendix 3 : Proposed taxonomy of the major issues likely to face nanotechnology in research, development and commercialization in Canada
The Consultation and Information Activities of the Commission
Members of the Commission de l’éthique de la science et de la technologie