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Governing Nanotechnology in a Multi-Stakeholder World

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Abstract

This article contributes to the debate on governance of emerging technologies, focusing in particular on the international level and taking into account the fact that these technologies are developed through a common effort of different stakeholders including governments, research communities, industry and civil society actors. These issues are explored from the perspective of communitarian ethical criticism of liberal social contract thinking, in order to enhance visibility of the influence collective non-state actors exercise on the development of these technologies. In particular, the effect of different values in the discussion on emerging technologies on the perceived governance options is explored. A paradigm shift from defensive values such as security, risk and human rights to more optimistic values like peace, justice and integrity of creation is proposed and discussed.

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Notes

  1. The Guardian, 4-09-2006, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2006/sep/04/syria.israel

  2. INI website, 10-04-09, http://www.en.nano.ir/

  3. Jane’s 02-12-2008, http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/gulfsu/irans090.html

  4. Mehr News Agency, 23 August 2005, cited by RedOrbit News www.redorbit.com/modules/news/tools.php?tool=print&id=297326

  5. http://www.iranembassy.or.id/law_detail.php?idne=1618

  6. Examples are the EU funded ICPC-NanoNet project which stimulates research cooperation in nanotechnology between Europe and Developing Countries and Emerging Economies including not only natural sciences and engineering but also social sciences and humanities and policy makers: www.icpc-nanonet.org and the project Nanorecht en Vrede, supported by Nanopodium www.nanopodium.nl in the Dutch Societal Dialogue Nanotechnology.

  7. These three values could be considered a shorter version of the seven principles proposed by the European Commission in its Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanotechnology Research: meaning, sustainability, precaution, inclusiveness, excellence, innovation and accountability.

  8. Whose authority can only be overruled in exceptional circumstances by the international community in accordance with Just War Theory.

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Acknowledgments

In the writing of this article I have benefited greatly from discussions with Jean-Pierre Wils and participants in several events where I have presented my ideas. The empirical data have been collected over the years in different projects funded by the EU and other organisations and analysed from the present perspective. The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author. This article is adapted from chapter 7 in my PhD thesis [16].

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  1. Malsch TechnoValuation, Vondellaan 90, 3521 GH, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Ineke Malsch

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  1. Ineke Malsch
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Correspondence to Ineke Malsch.

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Malsch, I. Governing Nanotechnology in a Multi-Stakeholder World. Nanoethics 7, 161–172 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11569-012-0163-1

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