Ethics and nanotechnology

The projected impact of nanotechnology has been touted as a second industrial revolution - not the third, fourth, or fifth- because despite similar predictions for technologies such as computers and robotics, nothing has yet eclipsed the first. Society is undergoing a revolution that will transform the ways in which materials and products are created. How will this revolution develop? The opportunities that will open in the future will depend significantly upon the ways in which a number of challenges are met. As we design systems on a nanoscale, we develop the capability to redesign the structure of all materials-natural and synthetic-along with rethinking the new possibilities of the reconstruction of any and all materials. Such changes in our design power introduce tremendous social and ethical questions. To enable our future leadership to make decisions for sustainable and economic nanotechnological development, it is imperative that we educate all nanotechnology stakeholders about the short-term and long-term benefits, limitations, and risks of nanotechnology. The ethical and social implications of nanotechnology encompass many key areas associated with development, such as privacy, security, the environment, and food and agriculture. This paper presents an overview of new and emerging nanotechnologies and applications and their ethical and social implications in addressing 21st century challenges and issues. The discussion addresses a range of different types of nanotechnologies and their potential risks and benefits for society. The paper also highlights the teaching methodologies and approaches used to teach Science, Technology, and Society (STS) courses, such as the one at DeVry University.