Nanoethics The Ethical and Social Implications of Nanotechnology

by Allhoff, Fritz; Lin, Patrick; Moor, James H.; Weckert, John; Roco, Mihail C.

• ISBN13: 9780470084175
• ISBN10: 0470084170
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-08-10
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Nanotechnology will eventually impact every area of our worldNanoethics seeks to examine the potential risks and rewards of applications of nanotechnology. This up-to-date anthology gives the reader an introduction to and basic foundation in nanotechnology and nanoethics, and then delves into near-, mid-, and far-term issues. Comprehensive and authoritative, it: Goes beyond the usual environmental, health, and safety (EHS) concerns to explore such topics as privacy, nanomedicine, human enhancement, global regulation, military, humanitarianism, education, artificial intelligence, space exploration, life extension, and more Features contributions from forty preeminent experts from academia and industry worldwide, reflecting diverse perspectives Includes seminal works that influence nanoethics today Encourages an informed, proactive approach to nanoethics and advocates addressing new and emerging controversies before they impede progress or impact our welfare This resource is designed to promote further investigations and a broad and balanced dialogue in nanoethics, dealing with critical issues that will affect the industry as well as society. While this will be a definitive reference for students, scientists in academia and industry, policymakers, and regulators, it's also a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the challenges, principles, and potential of nanotechnology.

Author Biography

Fritz Allhoff, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Western Michigan University and Research Associate in the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at The Australian National University. Patrick Lin, PhD, is the Research Director for The Nanoethics Group and has academic appointments at Dartmouth College as well as Western Michigan University. James Moor, PhD, is Professor of Philosophy at Dartmouth College as well as an Adjunct Professor with the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at The Australian National University. John Weckert, PhD, is the Professor of Computer Ethics in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professional Fellow at the Centre of Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at Charles Sturt University, and Editor-in-Chief of Nanoethics: Ethics for Technologies that Converge on the Nanoscale.

Table of Contents

Foreword: Ethical Choices in Nanotechnology Development	p. xi
Preface	p. xv
Contributors	p. xvii
Introduction: The Nanotechnology Debate	p. 1
Nanoscience and Nanoethics: Defining the Disciplines	p. 3
Why the Future Doesn't Need Us	p. 17
On the National Agenda: U.S. Congressional Testimony on the Societal Implications of Nanotechnology	p. 40
Background: Nanotechnology in Context	p. 55
Nanotech's Promise: Overcoming Humanity's More Pressing Challenges	p. 57
Debating Nanotechnologies	p. 71
In the Beginning: The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative	p. 80
Issues: Preparing for the Next Revolution	p. 89
The Nanotechnology R(Evolution)	p. 91
Technology Revolutions and the Problem of Prediction	p. 101
Complexity and Uncertainty: A Prudential Approach to Nanotechnology	p. 119
The Precautionary Principle in Nanotechnology	p. 133
Issues: Health and Environment	p. 147
Nanotechnology and Risk: What Are the Issues?	p. 149
Personal Choice in the Coming Era of Nanomedicine	p. 161
Are We Playing God with Nanoenhancement?	p. 173
Anticipating the Ethical and Political Challenges of Human Nanotechnologies	p. 185
Issues: Democracy and Policy	p. 199
Global Technology Regulation and Potentially Apocalyptic Technological Threats	p. 201
Deliberative Democracy and Nanotechnology	p. 215
Rhetoric of "Stakeholding"	p. 225
Rules of Engagement: Democracy and Dialogue in Creating Nanotechnology Futures	p. 241
Issues: Broader Societal Impact	p. 251
Nanotechnology and Privacy: Instructive Case of Rfid	p. 253
Nanotechnology and the Military	p. 267
Can Nanoscience be a Catalyst for Educational Reform?	p. 277
Impact of Nanotechnologies on Developing Countries	p. 291
Issues: The Distant Future?	p. 309
Challenges and Pitfalls of Exponential Manufacturing	p. 311
Nanoethics and the High Frontier	p. 323
Ethics for Artificial Intellects	p. 339
Nanotechnology and Life Extension	p. 353
Index	p. 367
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