What Is Nanotechnology and Why Does It Matter?

Fritz Allhoff is Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Western Michigan University. Patrick Lin is Professor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he is also the director of the Ethics + Emerging Technologies Group. He is also an affiliate scholar at the Stanford Law School, Center for Internet and Society. Daniel Moore is a research scientist on nanoscale semiconductor solutions for IBM and has served on the Georgia Institute of Technology's honor committee.

• Preface viiiUnit I What Is Nanotechnology? 11 The Basics of Nanotechnology 31.1 Definitions and Scales 31.2 The Origins of Nanotechnology 51.3 The Current State of Nanotechnology 81.4 The Future of Nanotechnology 121.5 Nanotechnology in Nature and Applications 162 Tools of the Trade 202.1 Seeing the Nanoscale 212.2 Basic Governing Theories 303 Nanomaterials 363.1 Formation of Materials 363.2 Carbon Nanomaterials 373.3 Inorganic Nanomaterials 444 Applied Nanotechnology 564.1 Using Nanomaterials 564.2 Nanotechnology Computing and Robotics 624.3 Predicting the Future of Technology 67Unit II Risk, Regulation, and Fairness 715 Risk and Precaution 735.1 Risk 735.2 Cost–Benefit Analysis 795.3 Precautionary Principles 825.4 Evaluating the Precautionary Principle 896 Regulating Nanotechnology 966.1 The Stricter-Law Argument 976.2 Learning from History 1006.3 Objections to the Stricter-Law Argument 1026.4 An Interim Solution? 1206.5 Putting the Pieces Together 1247 Equity and Access 1267.1 Distributive Justice 1277.2 Nanotechnology and the Developing World 1327.3 Water Purification 1357.4 Solar Energy 1407.5 Medicine 1437.6 Nanotechnology, the Developing World, and Distributive Justice 145Unit III Ethical and Social Implications 1518 Environment 1538.1 Society, Technology, and the Environment 1548.2 Environmental Risks of Nanotechnology 1598.3 Nanotechnology Solutions to Environmental Problems 1618.4 Overall Assessments: Risk and Precaution 1689 Military 1709.1 The Military and Technology 1709.2 A Nano-Enabled Military 1739.3 A Nano-Enabled Defense System 1779.4 Ethical Concerns 17910 Privacy 18510.1 Historical and Legal Background 18610.2 Philosophical Foundations 19210.3 Radio Frequency Identity Chips 19810.4 Item-Level Tagging 20110.5 Human Implants 20410.6 RFID-Chipped Identification 20710.7 Is RFID a Threat to Privacy? 21011 Medicine 21511.1 The Rise of Nanomedicine 21611.2 Diagnostics and Medical Records 21911.3 Treatment 22311.4 Moving Forward 22712 Human Enhancement 23012.1 What is Human Enhancement? 23112.2 Defining Human Enhancement 23412.3 The Therapy–Enhancement Distinction 23712.4 Human Enhancement Scenarios 24012.5 Untangling the Issues in Human Enhancement 24312.6 Restricting Human Enhancement Technologies? 25213 Conclusion 25413.1 Chapter Summaries 25513.2 Final Thoughts and Future Investigations 258References 261Index 282

“This book deserves to be read by anyone interested in why nanotechnology is important and why it matters, and particularly by anyone new to this field. For those already familiar with some (if not all) of the topics that the book covers, there is still some benefit to be gained from reading about some of the latest applications in areas in which they may not have such detailed knowledge.  It also permits the reader to take a critical stance on the topics and arguments raised in the book, especially since the book’s objective is to prompt the dialogue that is needed to achieve further progress and to continue to broaden the debates.”  (Nanoethics, 1 October 2014)”“However, for the reader looking for general background about nanotechnology and many of its social and ethical issues, the book is worth reading, as long as its arguments are carefully scrutinized and increased understanding of connections among such issues is not expected.”  (Bioethical Inquiry, 2011)“I highly recommend this book. It is certain that nanotechnology’s advance will continue, affecting many facets of our lives. Fritz Allhof, Patrick Lin, and Daniel Moore have provided the best available overview of the many changes that one can expect to see as a result of nanotechnology’s continued advances, and the many ethical implications inherent in this advance. While the authors ask many more questions than they answer, they prepare the intellectual landscape for the ethical debates that are certain to take place over the coming years regarding the often-insidious infusion of various manifestations of nanotechnology into our society.”  (Journal of Military Ethics, 19 April 2012)"In their recent publication, What is Nanotechnology and Why Does it Matter: From Science to Ethics, the authors Fritz Allhoff, Patrick Lin, and Daniel Moore search for answers to these two questions-questions which, whether directly addressed or not, underlie all scholarly, political, and consumer protection writings on nanotechnology. In this 260 page, thirteen-chapter book, the authors come impressively close to providing satisfying answers to these questions." (Amber Hottes, Nanotechnology Law & Business, Volume 7, Issue 2)"As with a number of other such books in print, "What is Nanotechnology and why does it Matter?" brings both scientific knowledge and Ethical/Legal/Societal implications (ELSI) to bear. It heralds the profound changes of nanotechnology while attempting to provide an effective way to deliberate ELSI, as nanotechnology unfolds into full development. In seeking to "tame a riot of speculation" [ix], Allhoff, Lin, and Moore reveal much of the complexity of the ongoing discourse on this matter, leaving quandary on multiple related issues. The tripartite layout of the book demarcates particular areas of expertise represented by the individual authors, in an unusual collaboration that brings distinctive breadth to a relatively well-published area of inquiry." (Rosalyn W. Berne, The Journal of Philosophy, Science & Law, Volume 11, 10 October 2011)"The book is well-suited to be used either as a coherent text for introductory courses focused specifically on nanotechnology, or used as stand-alone chapters that can be selected to augment and supplement readings in a wide range of courses in fields such as public policy, engineering, sociology, or philosophy of science. The highly interdisciplinary perspective offered in this book should also serve as a model of how scholars can effectively collaborate across fields in ways that break down obstacles and connect findings across disciplines that are all-too-often isolated." (Evan S. Michelson, Science and Public Policy, 2011)"Overall What is Nanotechnology and Why does it Matter? From Science to Ethics makes an important contribution to the literature as it offers an overview of the nature and implications of nanotechnology. Scientists, researchers, students, industry executives and policymakers will find this volume extremely informative and useful. As advancements in nanotechnology will take place, further dialogues and debates are needed to move nano-products responsibly into the market." (Fabrice Jotterand, International Journal of Applied Philosophy,2010)"Undoubtedly, reading this book will stimulate a great deal of discussion, which is, perhaps, its chief merit. From this viewpoint the great breadth of coverage is a definite advantage, because it ensures that there is a great variety of food for thought in the content." (Nanotechnology Perceptions, 1 November 2010)"This book was very carefully constructed.  Painstaking internal cross-reference refer the reader to fuller discussions of topics in other chapters.  Nearly every chapter, at the start and conclusion, includes a few sentences on scope." (Nanotechnology Law & Business, summer 2010)