Nanoethics Group

Founded in 2003 by Dr. Patrick Lin and Dr. Fritz Allhoff, the Nano Ethics Group is an independent, non-partisan think tank that studies and educates the ethical and societal implications of nanotechnology. Driven by public anxiety and lack of information about potential effects of nanotechnology, the group addresses some of the most urgent and distant issues facing nanotechnology in relation to social, economical, political, and normative contexts. Based at California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo) and comprised of an advisory board with prominent scientists, philosophers, policy makers, lawyers, and other scholars in the nanotech field, the group seeks to avoid hyped-up exaggerations of nanotechnology and engages in addressing complex nanotech and nanoethics issues by carefully maintaining an objective stance in debate and promoting productive dialogue.

Learning from the lessons of biotechnology and bioethics on the importance of foresight, the Nanoethics Group emphasizes the critical need to acknowledge any near-term or long-term potential dangers of nanotechnology. In light of the rapid growth of nanotechnology and the speed of nanotech products entering the marketplace, the group actively engages with both public and nanotech ventures to research imperative ethical and social issues and further public discourse; from university addresses, consulting for nonprofit groups, governmental agencies and industry taskforces, the group has continuously advocated the importance of sustained investigation of nanoethics issues since its founding.

In March 2009, for example, the group organized a conference focusing on the ethical, social, and related issues in the application of nanotechnology to human enhancement. The Human Enhancement & Nanotechnology Conference, held at Western Michigan University, was free to the public and offered presentations from a diverse group of leading researchers in the field. Other public lectures have covered such topics as the history of Nanotechnology, lessons from bioethics, and nanotechnology's implications for health, food, and environment. The group has made progress in bridging the gap between experts and the public on concerns about nanoethics issues.

While nanotechnology has the immense potential to transform areas in society, economics, health, energy, and environment, it also has the potential for unintended negative consequences. The Nanoethics Group acknowledge that even though we cannot know all the consequences that may arise, it is nevertheless important to go beyond risk-reward analysis and open up productive dialogue that will allow nanotechnology to responsibly move forward.

The group manages to address ethical and policy questions through a three-tiered approach that addresses foundational issues in nanoethics, examines near-term practical issues, and explores long-range theoretical questions. In addition to their consulting and public discourses, The Nanoethics Group has published two anthologies that focus on the most pertinent issues facing nanotechnology: Nanoethics: The Ethical and Social Implications of Nanotechnology (2007), and Nanotechnology & Society: Current and Emerging Ethical Issues (2008). These anthologies serve to further debate in university classrooms.

The Nanoethics Group also makes it clear that they are not an advocacy, activist, or watchdog group, but rather, devoted to an objective stance to contribute in nanoethics debates. Instead, they have highlighted the importance of addressing the social implications of nanotechnology and nanoethics issues before it becomes too late to find a solution.

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