Some general considerations on nano-ethics

Abstract

The emerging area of nanotechnologies possibly offers promise for the future with its focus on preventive design. To gain traction, however, it is important that research on the sustainability of materials is funded at levels significant enough to identify early warnings, and that possible responsible regulatory systems provide incentives for safer and sustainable materials during the life cycle of materials and systems. The concept of protecting human health and integrity is accepted by all. The rules by which society tries to achieve this humanist objective are relative to a given cultural situation in a specific space and time. The relationship between the individual and the collective human society is not only a matter of ways of living together; it is intimately linked with societal norms which are discussed in this essay. In this respect, for ethical reasons, the authors propose to “invent” a “precautionary” standardisation, progressive yet accepted by the “global village”, in order to avoid nano-errors?