Nanotechnology

Iris Eisenberger is Professor at and Head of the Institute of Law at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, Austria. Her research focuses on law and innovation, environmental law and research law as well as the didactics of law. Angelika Kallhoff is a Professor of Ethics with special emphasis on Applied Ethics at the University of Vienna’s Department of Philosophy and the director of the Research Platform Nano-Norms-Nature. Her research interests are in the area of ethics, applied ethics, and political philosophy. Claudia Schwarz-Plaschg is University Assistant (post doc) at the Research Platform Nano-Norms-Nature at the University of Vienna. Her research explores the co-shaping of emerging technosciences and society with a specific focus on the area of nanotechnology.

• List of Figures and TablesPreface1.Rethinking Ethical, Legal, and Societal Frameworks for Assessing and Governing NanomaterialsAngela Kallhoff, Claudia Schwarz-Plaschg, and Elias MoserPart I: Evaluation and Standardisation2.Ecocentric Evaluation of Nano-releaseRisk, Precaution and ImaginationAngela Kallhoff and Elias Moser3.Standardising Responsibility?The Significance of Interstitial SpacesFern Wickson and Ellen-Marie Forsberg (reprint)4.Standardisation and Patenting in NanotechnologyBetter Balancing for a Necessary NuisanceThomas Jaeger5.StandardisationEnabler for Nanotechnology InnovationHenk de VriesPart II: Norms and Regulation6.Science – Democracy – IndustryWho is in Charge of Regulating Nanomaterials?Diana M. Bowman and Lucille M. Tournas7.Pros and Cons of Nano-Regulation and Ways towards a Sustainable useJuliane Filser8.Nanotechnology and Fundamental RightsHow to Regulate Dual Use Research?Iris Eisenberger and Franziska Bereute

This volume includes 12 conference-based papers. The editors note that though nanotechnologies benefit from both judicial rulings and industrial self-regulation, limited academic involvement has exposed gaps. The contributors follow the ethical, legal, and social aspects (ELSA) approach, with the goal of offering guidelines for reflection. The essays appear under three headings: "Evaluation and Standardisation," "Norms and Regulation," and "Politics and Publics." As with any emerging technology, the matter of anticipatory governance rests at the center of such debates, and the contributors often refer back to the example of biotechnologies, identifying interesting parallels regarding the potential pitfalls of nano-marketing. For example, incomplete information and resulting controversies in the case of genetically manufactured foods suggest cautionary approaches and stress the need for better public information and consultation. Though grounded in the European framework (especially Austria and Western Europe), the volume serves as a basis for further exploration of the issues it raises in other national and cultural contexts. The solid introduction and 20-plus boxes and graphs make up for complex summaries and acronym-heavy explanations.Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, professionals.