Nanotechnology And Ethical Governance In The European Union And China

This book addresses questions surrounding the feasibility of a global approach to ethical governance of science and technology. The emergence and rapid spread of nanotechnology offers a test case for how the world might act when confronted with a technology that could transform the global economy and provide solutions to issues such as pollution, while potentially creating new environmental and health risks. The author compares ethical issues identified by stakeholders in China and the EU about the rapid introduction of this potentially transformative technology – a fitting framework for an exploration of global agency. The study explores the discourse ethics and participatory Technology Assessment (pTA) inspired by the work of Jürgen Habermas to argue that different views can be universally recognized and agreed upon, perhaps within an ideal global community of communication. The book offers a developed discourse model, utilizing virtue ethics as well as the work of Taylor, Beck, Korsgaard and others on identity formation, as a way forward in the context of global ethics. The author seeks to develop new vocabularies of comparison, to discover shared aspects of identity and to achieve, hopefully, an ‘intercultural personhood’ that may lead to a global ethics. The book offers a useful guide for researchers on methods for advancing societal understanding of science and technology. The author addresses a broad audience, from philosophers, ethicists and scientists, to the interested general reader. For the layperson, one chapter surveys nanoissues as depicted in fiction and another offers a view of how an ordinary citizen can act as a global agent of change in ethics.

This book analyzes the possibilities for effective global governance of science in Europe, India and China. Authors from the three regions join forces to explore how ethical concerns over new technologies can be incorporated into global science and technology policies. The first chapter introduces the topic, offering a global perspective on embedding ethics in science and technology policy. Chapter Two compares the institutionalization of ethical debates in science, technology and innovation policy in three important regions: Europe, India and China. The third chapter explores public perceptions of science and technology in these same three regions. Chapter Four discusses public engagement in the governance of science and technology, and Chapter Five reviews science and technology governance and European values. The sixth chapter describes and analyzes values demonstrated in the constitution of the People’s Republic of China. Chapter Seven describes emerging evidence from India on the uses of science and technology for socio-economic development, and the quest for inclusive growth. In Chapter Eight, the authors propose a comparative framework for studying global ethics in science and technology. The following three chapters offer case studies and analysis of three emerging industries in India, China and Europe: new food technologies, nanotechnology and synthetic biology. Chapter 12 gathers all these threads for a comprehensive discussion on incorporating ethics into science and technology policy. The analysis is undertaken against the backdrop of different value systems and varying levels of public perception of risks and benefits. The book introduces a common analytical framework for the comparative discussion of ethics at the international level. The authors offer policy recommendations for effective collaboration among the three regions, to promote responsible governance in science and technology and a common analytical perspective in ethics.

This open access book explores the relevance of the concept of technology assessment (TA) on an international and global level. Technologies play a key role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, population aging, digitization, and health. At the same time, their use increases the need for coordinated action and governance at the global level in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI). Featuring case studies on STI fields such as energy, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and health technology, as well as TA activities at the national and international levels, this book reflects on the challenges and opportunities of global technology governance. It also provides an in-depth discussion of current governmental STI cultures and systems, societal expectations, and the policy priorities needed to achieve coordinated and effective STI intervention in policymaking and public debate at the global level. Lastly, the book promotes the establishment of a forum for a truly global dialogue of TA practitioners, fostering the articulation of their needs, knowledge and perspectives.

“After decades of research on dysfunctional eating and lack of physical activity, research attention has finally turned to the role of digital technology in eating behaviors and eating disorders. This timely volume offers a thoughtful and wide collection of chapters discussing the possible effects of digital technologies, from those enhancing healthy eating behaviors to those that encourage disordered eating. Highly recommended for both professionals and scholars.” Prof. Giuseppe Riva, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy. This book examines in depth the multifaceted roles of digital technologies in the eating behaviors and eating disorders. Coverage reflects a broad theoretical and empirical knowledge of current trends in digital technology use in health behaviors, and their risks and benefits affecting wellbeing, with focus on eating behaviors and eating disorders. The authors use both qualitative and quantitative data to focus on the digital lived experiences of people and their eating related behaviors. Among the topics covered: The quality of eating-oriented information online Technology, body image, and disordered eating Eating-oriented online groups Using mobile technology in eating behaviors Usage of digital technology among people with eating disorders What healthcare professionals should know about digital technologies and eating disorders Technology-based prevention and treatment programs for eating disorders A potential source of discussion and debate in various fields across the social sciences, the health sciences, and psychology, Digital Technology, Eating Behaviors, and Eating Disorders will be especially useful to students, academics, researchers, and professionals working in the fields of eating behaviors and eating disorders.

Nanotechnology is moving out of its comfort zone of scientific discourse. As new products go to market and national and international organizations roll out public-engagement programs on nanotechnology to discuss environmental and health issues, various sectors of the public are beginning to discuss what the controversy is all about. Nongovernmental organizations have long since reacted; however, now the social sciences have begun to study the cultural phenomenon of nanotechnology, thus extending discourses and opening out nanotechnology to whole new social dimensions. These dimensions and their newly constructed imaginings around nanotechnology intersect with the ecology, health, governance, economy, and illusory futures. There is always a need for more than just an ELSI (ethical, legal, and social implications) sideshow within nanotechnology. The collective public imaginings of nanotechnology include tangles of science and science fiction, local enterprises, and global transformation, all looking forward toward a sustainable future, while looking back on the past debates on science and nature. This book highlights the environmental health and economical concerns of nanotechnology and discusses its future research directions. It provides academia and industry a high-tech start-up that will revolutionize modern practices. With little and outdated literature available on the topic, this timely book will be helpful for the readers as it thoroughly covers the environmental, ethical, and economical issues of nanotechnology.

"The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic marks the most significant, singular global disruption since World War II, with health, economic, political, and security implications that will ripple for years to come." -Global Trends 2040 (2021) Global Trends 2040-A More Contested World (2021), released by the US National Intelligence Council, is the latest report in its series of reports starting in 1997 about megatrends and the world's future. This report, strongly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, paints a bleak picture of the future and describes a contested, fragmented and turbulent world. It specifically discusses the four main trends that will shape tomorrow's world: - Demographics-by 2040, 1.4 billion people will be added mostly in Africa and South Asia. - Economics-increased government debt and concentrated economic power will escalate problems for the poor and middleclass. - Climate-a hotter world will increase water, food, and health insecurity. - Technology-the emergence of new technologies could both solve and cause problems for human life. Students of trends, policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists and anyone eager for a glimpse into the next decades, will find this report, with colored graphs, essential reading.

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN MEDICINE Discover thorough insights into the toxicology of nanomaterials used in medicine In Nanotechnology in Medicine: Toxicity and Safety, an expert team of nanotechnologists delivers a robust and up-to-date review of current and future applications of nanotechnology in medicine with a special focus on neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, diagnostics, nano-nutraceuticals, dermatology, and gene therapy. The editors offer resources that address nanomaterial safety, which tends to be the greatest hurdle to obtaining the benefits of nanomedicine in healthcare. The book is a one-stop resource for recent and comprehensive information on the toxico logical and safety aspects of nanotechnology used in human health and medicine. It provides readers with cutting-edge techniques for delivering therapeutic agents into targeted cellular compartments, cells, tissues, and organs by using nanoparticulate carriers. The book also offers methodological considerations for toxicity, safety, and risk assessment. Nanotechnology in Medicine: Toxicity and Safety also provides readers with: A thorough introduction to the nanotoxicological aspects of nanomedicine, including translational nanomedicine and nanomedicine personalization Comprehensive introductions to nanoparticle toxicity and safety, including selenium nanoparticles and metallic nanoparticles Practical discussions of nanotoxicology and drug delivery, including gene delivery using nanocarriers and the use of nanomaterials for ocular delivery applications In-depth examinations of nanotechnology ethics and the regulatory framework of nanotechnology and medicine Perfect for researchers, post-doctoral candidates, and specialists in the fields of nanotechnology, nanomaterials, and nanocarriers, Nanotechnology in Medicine: Toxicity and Safety will also prove to be an indispensable part of the libraries of nanoengineering, nanomedicine, and biopharmaceutical professionals and nanobiotechnologists.

Handbook of Functionalized Nanomaterials: Environmental Health and Safety discusses the reactive properties of FNMs used in a range of applications, and their toxic impact on the environment. Nanomaterials have unique properties that can make them highly reactive. This reactivity can cause unwanted interactions with living cells, an increase in oxidative stress or damage to genetic material - resulting in damage to the environment and local wildlife. This negative impact is often further increased after surface functionalization of nanomaterials with other materials which offer unique properties of their own. To ensure environmental safety and ecological balance, rigorous toxicity testing of functionalized nanomaterials (FNMs) is necessary. This book discusses the toxicological uncertainties of FNMs and the limitations of FNMs in a range of applications. Later chapters propose methods to reliably assess the harm that functionalized nanomaterials can cause to the environment and wildlife, as well covering recent developments in the field of environmental health safety. The book concludes with a discussion on the future prospects of safe functionalized nanomaterials. Offers a novel, integrated approach, bridging the gap between FNMs and environmental health and safety Analyses the reactive properties of FNMs and their toxicological potential Provides an in-depth look at the impact of functionalized nanomaterials on the environment