Nanotechnology
Risk, Ethics and Law
1st Edition
Published on 1. May 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-84407-583-6 (ISBN)
Description
Nanotechnology - technology at the molecular level - is held out by many as the Holy Grail for creating a trillion dollar economy and solving problems from curing cancer to reprocessing waste into products and building superfast computers. Yet, as with GMOs, many view nanotech as a high risk genie in a bottle that once uncorked has the potential to cause unpredictable, perhaps irreversible, environmental and public health disasters. With the race to bring products to market, there is pressing need to take stock of the situation and to have a full public debate about this new technological frontier. Including contributions by renowned figures such as Roland Clift, K. Eric Drexler and Arpad Pusztai, this is the first global overview of the state of nanotech and society in Europe, the USA, Japan and Canada, examining the ethics, the environmental and public health risks, and the governance and regulation of this most promising, and potentially most dangerous, of all technologies.
Reviews / Votes
'This valuable collection provides many insights into nanotechnology's impacts.'Chris Phoenix, Director of Research, Center for Responsible Nanotechnology
'This edited volume provides an overview of the state of nanotech and society in Europe, the USA, Japan, and Canada, examining the ethics, the environmental and public health risks, and the governance and regulation of this enabling technology.'
Journal of Consumer Policy
'The book provides much food for thought as nanotechnology becomes a part of everyday life.'
M. Fosmire, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
'A much-needed general introduction to the social, safety, and ethical aspects of nanotechnology... concise, cogent, and well documented.'
Choice
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
491 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84407-583-6 (9781844075836)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
06/2013
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
E-Book
06/2013
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Book
07/2006
1st Edition
Earthscan Ltd
€262.60
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Persons
Geoffrey Hunt is Professor of Ethics at the University of Surrey, UK and Professional Fellow of the Institute of Nanotechnology. Michael Mehta is Professor of Sociology and Chair of the Sociology of Biotechnology Program at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Content
Introduction: The Challenge of Nanotechnologies * Part I Introducing Nanotechnology * Nanotechnology: From 'Wow' to 'Yuck'? * Nanotechnology: From Feynman to Funding * Microsystems and Nanoscience for Biomedical * Applications: A View to the Future * Nanotechnoscience and Complex Systems: The Case for Nanology * Part II Regional Developments * Nanotechnologies and Society in Japan * Nanotechnologies and Society in the USA * Nanotechnologies and Society in Europe * Nanotechnologies and Society in Canada * Part III Benefits and Risks * From Biotechnology to Nanotechnology: What Can We Learn from Earlier Technologies? * Getting Nanotechnology Right the First Time * Risk Management and Regulation in an Emerging Technology * Nanotechnology and Nanoparticle Toxicity: A Case for Precaution * The Future of Nanotechnology in Food Science and Nutrition: Can Science Predict its Safety? Part IV Ethics and Public Understanding * The Global Ethics of Nanotechnology * Going Public: Risk, Trust and Public Understanding of Nanotechnologies * Dwarfing the Social? Nanotechnology Lessons from the Biotechnology Front * Part V Law and Regulation * Nanotechnologies and the Law of Patents: A Collision Course * Nanotechnologies and Civil Liability * Nanotechnologies and the Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Human Subjects * Nanotechnologies and Corporate Criminal Liability * Part VI Conclusion * What Makes Nanotechnologies Special? *