ETHICAL DIMENSION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

For centuries, man thought that the atom and its proton, neutron and electron are the minutest particles in the universe, but not until nanotechnology emerges. Nanotechnology boast the discovery of particles smaller than the atom and its parts. These are the so-called nanoparticles. Nanoparticles range in size from about one hundred(100)nanometer (nm) down to about one(1) nm. One(1) nm is one billionth of a meter. They are typically the size of small molecules, and far too small to see with a microscope.[1] Thus, nanotechnology deals with the smallest molecular particles; the nanoparticles.

The discovery of, and studies and experimentation on the nanoparticles enable the scientist to alter the particles’ arrangement. The alteration of nanoparticles arrangement, different from their natural configuration, results tochange in certain characteristics of the particles. And consequently these altered particles would also behave differently in a given environment, compared to their previous reactions, with their previous arrangement and configuration. For example, the nanoparticles of a piece of paper. With the help of laboratory equipment and the knowledge and skills of a ‘nanotechnician’, the nanoparticles in that piece of paper can be rearranged, altered into the arrangement of iron steel’s nanoparticles. In that way, the piece of paper can behave like a piece of steel; waterproof, fireproof, and with increased strength against resistance compared to an ordinary piece of paper. Some scientists had studied and done such re-arrangement of nanoparticles surface.[2]Their studies enabled them to produce new catalysts, new coatings, new computers, stronger and lighter building materials, sensors that detect individual substances in tiny amounts. To date, there are now various products in the market that use nanotechnology; from tennis ball to bulletproof vest.[3]With these, nanotechnology holds a lot of potentials in the present, more so in the near future; potentials that can contribute to the flourishing of human lives.

However, as nanotechnology progresses, ethical questions are raised about this novel technology. Whether on the integrity of the present available products that use nanotechnology in their innovation, or on the emerging potential products, ethical issues are placed forward, challenging the ethics behind the development of nanotechnology. Base on the products that may be developed through this technology, moralists ask diverse questions, as diverse as the products that this technology can develop. The question on the toxicity of nanoparticles in products that use this technology in their production and operation had attracted most of the attentions of its critics, particularly those products that are health related and health-risked, e.g. drug delivery, sunscreens, inhalable particles fro asbestos. As the toxicity of nanoparticles may endanger the health of a human person, it is also undeniable that it will also affect the natural environment as it introduces ‘new’ particles. There are also questions on the possible invasion of one’s privacy through miniaturize surveillance equipment. Questions on the meaning of human life are raised in relation to the possibility of enhancing human performance, physically and mentally. Inquiries are being discussed on the military armaments and weaponries, as this technology can contribute a lot on the development of chemical weapons and weapons of mass destructions. The issue of global distributive justice had also been advanced, as to whom the technology would be made available; Would it be available to the develop countries alone who can very much afford it, or would the developing countries who badly need such innovation be allowed to use it?[4]Indeed, there are many questions at the advent of this technology, as there are products that it begins to offer to the humankind.

As nanotechnology develops, understanding itsethical dimensions also progresses via questions and enquires raised pertaining to it. More and more, its ethical dimension holds preeminence vis-à-vis its potentials that are actualized, for such dimension would indicate its developments’ permissibility and acceptability by man.

Nanotechnology offers a technology that is based on the alteration of the nanoparticles natural arrangement and consequently its surface in consonance with the predetermined end, which is envisioned by man to attend to his needs. That seems to be fine as technology pertains to the improvement brought about by man for the satisfaction of his necessities.[5] It reforms nature to promote the good life; man’s flourishing. It is the rearrangement of the world’s furniture to maintain a decent lifestyle.[6] However, up to what extent can man re-arrange the world’s furniture to maintain a decent lifestyle?The development of nanotechnology can progress better if it take into serious consideration its ethical dimension in view of its social value. That is on how it can make man’s life better. However, man has to be understood not as few people who can afford such technology, but rather the entire humanity as a society, as a community. This technology, for it to be morally acceptable had to put in its center the welfare of the entire human race and not on the advancement of individual person. Putting aside egotistic motives can contribute t the furtherance of the research on this technology, taking the right track in view of the develop of human communities. 

As ethicists and moralists promotes the observance of precautionary principle in the development of nanotechnology, paripassu, perhaps the above question is an existential question that should accompany the development of nanotechnology or any alteration of nature or enhancement of that sort; up to what extent can man re-arrange the world’s furniture to maintain a decent lifestyle?Man should observe great caution in dealing with technology for in his attempt to reform nature, he might deform himself.

[1]Different substances and their properties accessed from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa_pre_2011/atomic/differentsubrev4.shtml on June 16, 2015. 

[2] A. Ku¨hnle et al, Growth of Unidirectional Molecular Rows of Cysteine on Au(110)-1x2) Driven by Adsorbate-Induced Surface Rearrangements, in PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, VOLUME 93, NUMBER 8, SEPTEMBER 2004. 

[3]The 9 Best Nanotechnology-Powered Products accessed from http://discovermagazine.com

/galleries/zen-photo/n/nanotech-products on June 16, 2015. 

[4] Ethics of Nanotechnology, International Encyclopedia of Ethics, ed. Hugh LaFollette, Wiley, 2013.

[5] John Weckert, Social Values and Nanotechnology. 

[6]Ibid.