Overview

Nanotechnology - technology at the molecular level - is held out by many as the Holy Grail for creating a trillion dollar economy and solving problems from curing cancer to reprocessing waste into products and building superfast computers. Yet, as with GMOs, many view nanotech as a high risk genie in a bottle that once uncorked has the potential to cause unpredictable, perhaps irreversible, environmental and public health disasters. With the race to bring products to market, there is pressing need to take stock of the situation and to have a full public debate about this new technological frontier. Including contributions by renowned figures such as Roland Clift, K. Eric Drexler and Arpad Pusztai, this is the first global overview of the state of nanotech and society in Europe, the USA, Japan and Canada, examining the ethics, the environmental and public health risks, and the governance and regulation of this most promising, and potentially most dangerous, of all technologies.

Full Product Details

Author:   Geoffrey Hunt ,  Michael Mehta
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Earthscan Ltd
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.498kg
ISBN:  

9781844075836

ISBN 10:   1844075834
Pages:   320
Publication Date:   01 May 2008
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Introduction: The Challenge of Nanotechnologies * Part I Introducing Nanotechnology * Nanotechnology: From 'Wow' to 'Yuck'? * Nanotechnology: From Feynman to Funding * Microsystems and Nanoscience for Biomedical * Applications: A View to the Future * Nanotechnoscience and Complex Systems: The Case for Nanology * Part II Regional Developments * Nanotechnologies and Society in Japan * Nanotechnologies and Society in the USA * Nanotechnologies and Society in Europe * Nanotechnologies and Society in Canada * Part III Benefits and Risks * From Biotechnology to Nanotechnology: What Can We Learn from Earlier Technologies? * Getting Nanotechnology Right the First Time * Risk Management and Regulation in an Emerging Technology * Nanotechnology and Nanoparticle Toxicity: A Case for Precaution * The Future of Nanotechnology in Food Science and Nutrition: Can Science Predict its Safety? Part IV Ethics and Public Understanding * The Global Ethics of Nanotechnology * Going Public: Risk, Trust and Public Understanding of Nanotechnologies * Dwarfing the Social? Nanotechnology Lessons from the Biotechnology Front * Part V Law and Regulation * Nanotechnologies and the Law of Patents: A Collision Course * Nanotechnologies and Civil Liability * Nanotechnologies and the Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Human Subjects * Nanotechnologies and Corporate Criminal Liability * Part VI Conclusion * What Makes Nanotechnologies Special? *

Reviews

'This valuable collection provides many insights into nanotechnology's impacts.' - Chris Phoenix, Director of Research, Center for Responsible Nanotechnology 'This edited volume provides an overview of the state of nanotech and society in Europe, the USA, Japan, and Canada, examining the ethics, the environmental and public health risks, and the governance and regulation of this enabling technology.' - Journal of Consumer Policy 'The book provides much food for thought as nanotechnology becomes a part of everyday life.' - M. Fosmire, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA 'A much-needed general introduction to the social, safety, and ethical aspects of nanotechnology... concise, cogent, and well documented.' Choice 'This is a good general text book providing good quality analysis of the very broad range of nanotechnology topics.' Jim McLaughlin, Journal of Environmental Health Research

* 'Provides an excellent overview for interested citizens - and we better get up to speed on this portentous, unregulated, largely invisible technology - as nanotechnology moves swiftly into consumer and other commercial products' Ralph Nader, environmentalist, consumer rights advocate, former US presidential candidate * 'The book meets its aim of providing a multifaceted review of the state of nanotech in society, involving ethical, environmental, public health, governance and regulatory considerations... a helpful, valuable and intelligent contribution to the nanotechnology debate' The Centre for Bioethics and Public Policy * 'A much-needed general introduction to the social, safety, and ethical aspects of nanotechnology.... Summing Up: Recommended' M. Fosmire, Purdue University, Choice * 'If the ultimate goal of this book is the creation of an improved ethical groundwork for nanotechnology, it has clearly succeeded in making significant strides towards that objective' Aaron R. Petty, 'An Invitation to Debate', Nanotechnology Law & Business, 2007

Author Information

Geoffrey Hunt is Professor of Ethics at the University of Surrey, UK and Professional Fellow of the Institute of Nanotechnology. Michael Mehta is Professor of Sociology and Chair of the Sociology of Biotechnology Program at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

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