Abstract
This chapter is a human-centered survey of nanotechnologyʼs broader implications, reporting on the early phase of work by social scientists, philosophers, and other scholars. It begins with the social science agenda developed by governments, and the heritage of research on technology and organizations that social science brings to this mission. It then outlines current thinking about nanotechnologyʼs economic impacts, health or environmental impacts, and social contributions. It discusses how technology can be regulated by a combination of informal ethics and formal law, then concludes by considering the shape of popular nanotechnology culture, as reflected in science fiction, public perceptions, and education.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Abbreviations
- DNA:
-
deoxyribonucleic acid
- NNI:
-
National Nanotechnology Initiative
References
1. Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee, National Science and Technology Council: The National Nanotechnology Initiative: Research and Development Leading to a Revolution in Technology and Industry (National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, Arlington 2005)
S. Wood, R. Jones, A. Geldart: The Social and Economic Challenges of Nanotechnology (Economic and Social Research Council, Swindon 2003)
W.F. Ogburn: Social Change (Huebsch, New York 1922)
R.K. Merton: Science, Technology and Society in Seventeenth-Century England (Harper Row, New York 1970)
E. Katz, P.F. Lazarsfeld: Personal Influence: The Part Played by People in the Flow of Mass Communications (Free Press, Glencoe 1955)
D. Crane: Invisible Colleges: Diffusion of Knowledge in Scientific Communities (Univ. Chicago Press, Chicago 1972)
E.M. Rogers: Diffusion of Innovations (Free Press, New York 1995)
J. Schmookler: Innovation and Economic Growth (Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge 1966)
W.S. Bainbridge: The Spaceflight Revolution (Wiley-Interscience, New York 1976)
P. Freiberger, M. Swaine: Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer (McGraw-Hill, New York 2000)
T.A. Ten Eyck: Communication streams and nanotechnology: The (re)interpretation of a new technology. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 280–282
W.R. Scott: Rational, Natural, and Open Systems (Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs 1981)
L.G. Zucker, M.R. Darby: Socio-economic impact of nanoscale science: Initial results and NanoBank. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 2–23
W.R. Boulton: Managing the nanotechnology revolution: Consider the Malcolm Baldrige national quality criteria. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 24–32
J. Canton: The emerging nanoeconomy: Key drivers, challenges, and opportunities. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 32–43
S. Jurvetson: Transcending Mooreʼs law with molecular electronics and nanotechnology. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 43–56
G. Thompson: Semiconductor scaling as a model for nanotechnology commercialization. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 56–61
L. Hornyak: Sustaining the impact of nanotechnology on productivity, sustainability, and equity. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 64–67
I. Feller: An economistʼs approach to analyzing the societal impacts of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In: Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Kluwer, Dordrecht 2001) pp. 108–113
R. Freeman: Non-nano effects of nanotechnology on the economy. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 68–74
V.I. Colvin: The potential environmental impact of engineered nanomaterials, Nat. Biotechnol. 21, 1166–1170 (2003)
C.-W. Lam, J.T. James, R. McCluskey, R.L. Hunter: Pulmonary toxicity of single-wall carbon nanotubes in mice 7 and 90 days after intratracheal instillation, Toxicol. Sci. 77, 126–134 (2004)
D. Warheit: Nanoparticles: Health impacts?, Mater. Today 7, 32–35 (2004)
G. Oberdörster, E. Oberdörster, J. Oberdörster: Nanotoxicology: An emerging discipline evolving from studies of ultrafine particles, Environ. Health Persp. 113(7), 823–839 (2005)
D.M. Berube: Communicating nanotechnological risks. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 245–251
S.K. Friedlander, D.Y.H. Pui (Eds.): Emerging Issues in Nanoparticle Aerosol Science and Technology (Univ. California, Los Angeles 2003)
W. Luther (Ed.): Industrial Applications of Nanomaterials – Chances and Risks (Future Technologies Division/VDI Technologiezentrum, Düsseldorf 2004)
N. Savage: Converging technologies and their societal implications. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 164–168
M.C. Roco: Environmentally responsible development of nanotechnology, Environ. Sci. Technol. 39, 106A–112A (2005)
L.B. Lave: Lifecycle/sustainability implications of nanotechnology. In: Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Kluwer, Dordrecht 2001) pp. 205–212
M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge: Societal implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology: Maximizing human benefit, J. Nanopart. Res. 7, 1–1 (2005)
R. Hanson: Five nanotech social scenarios. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 109–113
B. Tonn: Co-evolution of social science and emerging technologies. In: Managing Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno Innovations: Converging Technologies in Society, ed. by W.S. Bainbridge, M.C. Roco (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 309–335
I. Kant: A Critique of Pure Reason (Wiley, New York 1900), [1787]
G.E. Moore: Principia Ethica (Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge 1951)
J. Rawls: A Theory of Justice (Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge 1971)
G.C. Homans: Social Behavior: Its Elementary Forms (Harcourt/Brace Jovanovich, New York 1974)
D. Gauthier: Morals by Agreement (Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford 1986)
J. Mosterin: Ethical implications of nanotechnology. In: Nanotechnology: Revolutionary Opportunities and Societal Implications, ed. by M. Roco, R. Tomellini (European Commission, Luxembourg 2002) pp. 91–94
J.R. Von Ehr: The ethics of ethics. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 195–198
R.E. McGinn: Ethical issues in nanoscience and nanotechnology: reflections and suggestions. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 169–172
J. Trumpbour: Technological revolutions and the limits of ethics in an age of commercialization. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 113–121
V. Weil: Ethical issues in nanotechnology. In: Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Kluwer, Dordrecht 2001) pp. 245–251
V. Weil: Ethics and nano: A survey. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 172–182
R.W. Berne: Negotiations over quality of life in the nanotechnology initiative. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 198–205
US Patent Trademark Office: Nanotechnology Classification 977 (USPTO, Classification Operations, Washington 2002), http://www.uspto.gov/go/classification/uspc977/defs977.htm
Z. Huang, A. Yip, G. Ng, F. Guo, Z. Chen, M.C. Roco: Longitudinal patent analysis for nanoscale science and engineering: Country, institution and technology field, J. Nanopart. Res. 5, 333–363 (2003)
Z. Huang, H. Chen, Z. Chen, M.C. Roco: International nanotechnology development in 2003: Country, institution, and technology field analysis based on USPTO patent database, J. Nanopart. Res. 6, 325–354 (2004)
E.J. Taylor: An exploration of patent matters associated with nanotechnology. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 187–195
S.E. Miller: Law in a new frontier. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 182–187
F.N. Laird: Problems of governance of nanotechnology. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 207–211
B.E. Seely: Societal implications of emerging science and technologies: A research agenda for science and technology studies (STS). In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 211–223
T.L. Smith: Institutional impacts of government science initiatives. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 223–232
W.M. Tolles: National security aspects of nanotechnology. In: Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Kluwer, Dordrecht 2001) pp. 218–236
W.M. Tolles: In defense of nanotechnology in defense. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 236–240
J. Reppy: Nanotechnology for national security. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 232–236
Meridian Institute: International Dialogue on Responsible Research and Development of Nanotechnology (Meridian Institute, Alexandria 2004)
S. Weinberg: The Discovery of Subatomic Particles (Freeman, New York 1990)
F. Pragnell: The Green Man of Graypec (Greenberg, New York 1950)
J. Blish: The Seedling Stars (Gnome, New York 1957)
I. Asimov: Fantastic Voyage (Bantam, New York 1966)
G.M. Whitesides: Science and education for nanoscience and nanotechnology. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Maximizing Benefit for Humanity, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin 2006) pp. 42–51
C.L. Alpert: Public engagement with nanoscale science and engineering. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 265–274
T. Pratchett, I. Stewart, J. Cohen: The Science of Discworld (Ebury, New York 1999)
A.C. Clarke: Hazards of prophecy. In: The Futurists, ed. by A. Toffler (Random House, New York 1972) p. 144
A.C. Clarke: Profiles of the Future (Bantam, New York 1963)
S. Moskowitz: Explorers of the Infinite (Meridian, Cleveland 1963)
M. Crichton: Prey (Harper Collins, New York 2002)
G. Bear: Blood music, Analog 106(6), 12–36 (1983)
G. Bear: Blood Music (Simon Schuster, New York 2002)
N. Stephenson: The Diamond Age (Bantam, New York 1995)
K.A. Goonan: Queen City Jazz (Tor, New York 1994)
K.A. Goonan: Mississippi Blues (Tor, New York 1997)
K.A. Goonan: Crescent City Rhapsody (Eos, New York 2000)
K.A. Goonan: Light Music (Eos, New York 2002)
G.K. OʼNeill: The High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space (Morrow, New York 1976)
M.A.G. Michaud: Reaching for the High Frontier: The American Pro-Space Movement, 1972–84 (Praeger, New York 1986)
E. Drexler: Non-terrestrial resources, L-5 News 2(3), 4–5 (1977)
K. Henson, E. Drexler: Vapor phase fabrication of structures in space, L-5 News 2(3), 6–7 (1977)
E. Drexler: Space mines, space law, and the third world, L-5 News 3(4), 7–8 (1978)
K.E. Drexler: Engines of Creation (Anchor Press/Doubleday, New York 1986)
S.L. Venneri: Implications of nanotechnology for space exploration. In: Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Kluwer, Dordrecht 2001) pp. 213–218
B.V. Lewenstein, J. Radin, J. Diels: Nanotechnology in the media: A preliminary analysis. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 258–265
D.S. Hope, P.E. Petersen: A proposal to advance understanding of nanotechnologyʼs social impacts. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 251–258
W.S. Bainbridge: Dimensions of Science Fiction (Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge 1986)
G. Gaskell, N. Allum, S. Stares: Europeans and Biotechnology in 2002: Eurobarometer 58.0 (2003) http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/archives/eb/ebs_177_en.pdf
Royal Academy of Engineering: Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies: Opportunities and Uncertainties (The Royal Society, London 2003)
W.S. Bainbridge: Public attitudes toward nanotechnology, J. Nanopart. Res. 4, 561–570 (2002)
W.S. Bainbridge: Validity of web-based surveys. In: Computing in the Social Sciences and Humanities, ed. by O.V. Burton (Univ. Illinois Press, Urbana 2002) pp. 51–66
W.S. Bainbridge: Sociocultural meanings of nanotechnology: Research methodologies, J. Nanopart. Res. 6, 285–299 (2004)
M.D. Cobb, J. Macoubrie: Public perceptions about nanotechnology: Risks, benefits and trust, J. Nanopart. Res. 6, 395–405 (2004)
G.M. Whitesides, J.C. Love: Implications of nanoscience for knowledge and understanding. In: Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Kluwer, Dordrecht 2001) pp. 129–145
K.M. Kulinowski: Incorporating nanotechnology into K-12 education. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 322–327
J. Klein-Seetharaman: Interactive, entertaining, virtual learning environments. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 152–158
M.G. Forest: Mathematical challenges in nanoscience and nanotechnology: An essay on nanotechnology implications. In: Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Kluwer, Dordrecht 2001) pp. 146–173
G.C. Black: Human resource implications of nanotechnology on national security and space exploration. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 297–300
T. Chang: Educating undergraduate nanoengineers. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 305–317
P.E. Stephan: Human resources for nanotechnology. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 331–335
S.J. Fonash: Implications of nanotechnology for the workforce. In: Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Kluwer, Dordrecht 2001) pp. 173–180
J.L. Merz: Technological and educational implications of nanotechnology – Infrastructural and educational needs. In: Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Kluwer, Dordrecht 2001) pp. 186–196
B.E. Seely: Educational opportunities related to the societal implications of nanotechnology. In: Nanotechnology: Societal Implications – Individual Perspectives, ed. by M.C. Roco, W.S. Bainbridge (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2006) pp. 327–331
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer-Verlag
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bainbridge, W.S. (2010). Governing Nanotechnology: Social, Ethical and Human Issues. In: Bhushan, B. (eds) Springer Handbook of Nanotechnology. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02525-9_53
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02525-9_53
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-02524-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-02525-9
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)