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.
