The University of Alabama, NEW 490-322

Ethical Implications of Nanotechnology Regarding the Pillars of Sustainability and the Ethical Theories

Ketley Alves

Ethical Implications of Nanotechnology Regarding the Pillars of

Sustainability and the Ethical Theories
Ketley Alves a)
College of Arts and Sciences, New College Department, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, United States
a) Correspondence should be addressed to Electronic mail: kalvessilva@crimson.ua.edu

Imagine a world in which cars can be assembled molecule-by-molecule, garbage can be

disassembled and turned into beef steaks, and people can be operated on and healed by cell-sized
robots. Even though it sounds like fiction, current semiconductor chip manufacturing encroaching
upon the nanometer scale and the ability to move individual atoms already exist, and we are fast
approaching the technological ability to fabricate productive machines and devices that can
manipulate things at the atomic level. From the nanotechnology we will be able to develop
molecular-sized computers and robots, which would give us unprecedented control over matter
and the ability to shape the physical world as we see fit. Some may see it as pure fantasy, but others
speculate that it is an inevitability that will be the beginning of the next technological revolution.
According to Roco and Bainbridge (2002)[1], the impact of nanotechnology extends from
its medical, ethical, mental, legal and environmental applications, to fields such as engineering,
biology, chemistry, computing, materials science, and communications. Major benefits of
nanotechnology include improved manufacturing methods, water purification systems, energy
systems, physical enhancement, nanomedicine, better food production methods, nutrition and
large-scale infrastructure auto-fabrication. Nanotechnology's reduced size may allow for

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Ethical Implications of Nanotechnology Regarding the Pillars of Sustainability and the Ethical Theories

Ketley Alves

automation of tasks which were previously inaccessible due to physical restrictions, which in turn
may reduce labor, land, or maintenance requirements placed on humans.
Too often, discussions about the social and ethical issues surrounding new technologies
are treated as afterthoughts, or worse still, as potential roadblocks to innovation. The ethical
discussions are relegated to the end of scientific conferences, outsourced to social scientists, or
generally marginalized in the policymaking process. Nanotechnology has tremendous potential to
contribute to human flourishing in socially and environmentally sustainable ways. However, the
biggest dilemma in nanotechnology is when it is unlikely to realize its full potential unless its
associated social and ethical issues are adequately attended.
According to Eason et al (2011)[2], there are three rules of thumb regarding sustainability
when it comes to nanotechnology: society, economy and environment. These are the basic pillars
of sustainability and all of them must be achieved if we need to develop an ethical use of
nanotechnology. Meetoo (2009)[3] approaches an outstanding overview of how the society can be
affected by the nanotechnology, especially when medicine is the main target. Nanotechnology is
a thoroughly social phenomenon. Technologies themselves emerge from society: they are made
possible and encouraged by society. At the same time, nanotechnology correlates to the other two
pillars of sustainability which are economy and how it deals with the environment. They are
implemented in and disseminated through society. Indeed, without technology it is difficult to
conceive of society at all. Technology shapes every aspect of our lives the places we inhabit, the
ways we interact, how we do our work and the work that we do, our forms of recreation and how
we organize our lives. From this paradigm associated with the nanotechnology use, we observe

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The University of Alabama, NEW 490-322

Ethical Implications of Nanotechnology Regarding the Pillars of Sustainability and the Ethical Theories

Ketley Alves

that not only is technology inseparable from society, but it shapes us as much as we shape it. Thus,
the relationship between nanotechnology and society is deeply value laden.
It is a common view, even among those who strongly support social and ethical research,
which its primary function is to help secure public acceptance of nanotechnology and ensure
nanotechnologys integration into the national and global economies by demonstrating that
societal concerns are being addressed. It is well-known that research on social and ethical issues
can identify opportunities for nanotechnologies to contribute to human flourishing and
environmentally sustainable ways, and suggest approaches (technological, social and institutional)
for overcoming them. Especially in the field of medical application of nanotechnology such as
the very spread and discussed nanorobots there are significant social and ethical dimensions
to public outreach, discourse and education. Their effectiveness depends in part on scientists and
development researchers ability to discuss nanotechnology accurately and in effectively framed
ways.
We can easily link this nanotechnology discussion with the two main ethical theories: the
virtue ethics and the utilitarism. One of the most important virtues is justice which, according to
Beauchamp and Childress (1989)[4], involves the fair distribution of resources. It is very important
that such discussions about nanotechnology be open, accessible, inclusive and fair. It is not
possible to identify the social and ethical dimensions of nanotechnology by considering
nanotechnology in itself, abstracted from the virtue theory and its social and economic context.
Nanotechnology is emerging into a context in which inequalities in environmental burdens are
allowed, and in many ways enabled and encouraged, by social institutions and practices. It is very
important that all benefits generated from the nanotechnology be securely well-distributed among

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The University of Alabama, NEW 490-322

Ethical Implications of Nanotechnology Regarding the Pillars of Sustainability and the Ethical Theories

Ketley Alves

the people. Moreover, it is clear that many nanotechnologies and nanomanufacturing processes
will generate both environmental burdens and environmental benefits. We can also include the
utilitarian theory in the same context. The principle of utility states that whenever there is a choice
among several options, the ethical choice is the one that has the best overall outcome for all
involved, and that is exactly what we look for when applying the benefits of nanotechnology for
all the people, respecting the ethical implications of such actions.
As a conclusion, every emerging technology offers us a new opportunity to engage
ourselves in a social and ethical debate. The nanotech revolution is still beginning and the society
still have time for an open and public discussion of its consequences, both intended and
unintended. If nanoscale science and engineering is going to be the platform for the next revolution
in technology and industry (or if it even approaches this status), as many of its proponents claim,
then it will be socially and ethically revolutionary as well. If our goal is to maximize
nanotechnology as a social good, then the social and ethical issues associated with emerging
nanotechnologies must be identified. We can neither jeopardize the social, economic and
environmental pillars nor go against the ethical theories as we increase the dazzling and
mesmerizing values and applications of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has a tremendous
potential to contribute to human flourishing in socially and environmentally sustainable ways.
However, nanotechnology is unlikely to realize its full potential unless its associated social and
ethical issues are adequately attended.

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Ethical Implications of Nanotechnology Regarding the Pillars of Sustainability and the Ethical Theories

Ketley Alves

References

[1] Roco, M., and Bainbridge, W. S. 2002. Overview. In Roco, M., and Bainbridge W. S., eds.,
Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance: Nanotechnology, Biotechnology,
Information Technology and Cognitive Science. (p. 1-27).
[2] Eason, T., Meyer, D.E., Curran, M.A, Upadbyayula, V. 2011. Guidance to Facilitate
Decisions for Sustainable Nanotechnology. (p. 8)
[3] Meetoo, D. 2009. Nanotechnology: the revolution of the big future with tiny medicine.
[4] Beauchamp TL, Childress JF. Principles of biomedical ethics. New York: Oxford University
Press, 1989.

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