Nanoethics: Big Ethical Issues with Small Technology

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Nanotechnology manipulates matter at the atomic level. It leads to innovative processes and products that are revolutionizing many areas of modern life. Huge amounts of public funds are being invested in the science, yet the public has little understanding of the technology or its ethical implications. Indeed, the ethical, social, and political dimensions of nanotechnology are only beginning to receive the attention they require - outside of science fiction contexts. Surveillance devices may become so small that they are practically invisible to the naked eye, raising concerns about privacy. Nanomedicine may lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic devices, yet anxieties have been raised about the impact of "nanobots" circulating in our bodies. Military applications, or misuses, of nanotechnology raise other concerns. This book explores in an accessible and informative way how nanotechnology is likely to impact the lives of ordinary people in the coming years and why ethical reflection on nanotechnology is needed now.

Reviews

With such a disruptive technology, it's hardly surprising that ethical questions arise, and they are engagingly discussed in [Nanoethics]. -- Claire O'Connell, Irish Times
Investigating eye-opening topics such as that of a 'post-human future' and 'nanobots', this is a fascinating study of our progresssion towards a dystopian society. -- Sunday Business Post
Well written and combatively argued, this is a powerful succinct turn that also contains an entertaining chapter on Michael Crichton's Prey -- Business & Finance (Ireland)
Title mention. December 2009 -- Morning Star
The underlying ethical approach of the bookseems to besound and is certainly one I warm to. -- Times Higher Education
"Rather than just setting out what is naughty and nice about technology on a very tiny scale, O'Mathunadelves into some of the deeper values and beliefs underlying the fascination with technology generally and recently with nanotechnology. He begins by describing what nanotechnology is, what it does, and where it came from. Then he discusses ethics around it generally, preying on fear, precaution, global nanotech, nanomedicine, becoming better than healthy, making room for human dignity in the posthuman future, and revisiting Daedalus and Icarus." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.
"O'Mathuna (Dublin City Univ., Ireland) introduces readers to the developing field of nanotechnology and the ethical questions this research raises... Particularly noteworthy are the author's use of science fiction films and literature to frame the ethical questions he discusses, and his interest in the intersection of nanotechnology and issues surrounding global poverty and development. Summing up: Recommended" -Choice
An easily readable well researched book . the issues are well-presented and thought-provoking . Overall an excellent book; essential reading for scientists motivated to pursue some of the more futuristic claims of nanotechnology. -- Nanotechnology Perceptions
'Nanoethics can justifiably be describes as a well-written book for scientists, policy makers and ethicists interested in exploring the issue at greater depth.' -- Ethical Perspectives
O'Mathna's accessible style enables people who are not necessarily involved with nanotechnology to gain some knowledge of the basics. It also allows scientists to learn more about how human nature could shape the outcomes of nanotechnology... this book is a meaningful contribution for both scientists and non-scientists.' -- Nanoethics
Overall an excellent book; essential reading for scientists motivated to pursue some of the more futuristic claims of nanotechnology.' -- Nanotechnology Perceptions
Nanoethics: Big Ethical Issues with Small Technology is a very welcome and readable addition to the ethical debates on nanotechnology. -- Springer (Nanoethics 2010)

Author Bio

Dnal P. O'Mathna is Senior Lecturer in Ethics, Decision-Making & Evidence at Dublin City University, Ireland. He has served as an ethicist on a number of ethics committees, and has published widely on bioethics.