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Nanotechnology
The Social and Ethical Issues


Quick Summary

Nanotechnology has tremendous potential to contribute to human flourishing in socially just and environmentally sustainable ways. However, nanotechnology is unlikely to realize its full potential unless its associated social and ethical issues are adequately attended.

Nanotechnology
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Colin Finan, Tel: 202-552-2272

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Three Misconceptions about Social and Ethical Issues

There are several common misconceptions regarding the social and ethical issues associated with emerging nanotechnologies that obscure their significance to responsible development. This section discusses three of the most influential and widespread of these issues.

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Date added:
Jan 27, 2009
Contact:
Colin Finan, Tel: 202-552-2272
Project:
Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
Topic:
Health Topics

Related Resources

Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies

Issue Brief

 Momentous change can come in tiny packages. Nanotechnologies have been hailed by many as the next industrial revolution, likely to affect everything from clothing and medical treatments to engineering. Although focused on the very small, nanotechnology—the ability to measure, manipulate and manufacture objects that are 1/100th to 1/100,000th the circumference of a human hair—offers immense promise. Whether used in cancer therapies, pollution-eating compounds or stain-resistant apparel, these atomic marvels are radically and rapidly changing the way we live. The National Science Foundation predicts that the global marketplace for goods and services using nanotechnologies will grow to $1 trillion by 2015 and employ 2 million workers.

 

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