Nanotechnologies and ethics – Bibliography

Gradually, ethical concerns linked to nanotechnology development seem to be confined to the question of risk assessment and management. Yet nanotechnologies raise a wider set of socio-economic and ethical concerns, identified and documented as early as the early 2000s. They include :

• issues relating to the social responsibility of the players involved – particularly researchers
• governance issues and the (lack of) public participation in decision-making (especially for vulnerable people who are more likely to be affected by the negative effects of nanotechnologies)
• the issues of social justice, sovereignty and inequality generated by unequal access to the benefits of nanotechnologies
• issues relating to surveillance, infringement of individual freedoms and privacy,
• the use of nanotechnologies for military purposes,
• ect..

This bibliography brings together references that contribute to this reflection.

Research (selection of synthetic articles and literature reviews)

In French

• Céline Frochot, Eric Schaer and Jean-Claude André, There’s no need to be afraid of “nano”, it’s just a poorly anticipated nanocrisis, Environment, Risks & Health, 2020
• Jean-Louis Monino, Nanotechnologies et intelligence économique : enjeux de la valorisation de l’information et de la création de connaissances, Marché et organisations, 2020
• Alexei Grinbaum (CEA Saclay), Les nanotechnologies, questions éthiques, Espace Mendès-France conference, Poitiers, March 22, 2017.
• Xavier Duchet, The ethics of nanotechnology, Esprit, 2017
• Didier Sicard, Chapter VI. Ethical issues raised by nanotechnologiesMedical ethics and bioethics, 2017
• Kermisch C and Pinsart MG, Les nanotechnologies : vers un changement d’éthique ?L’Harmattan, April 2015
• Flahaut E and Chaskiel P, Nanotechnologies: pour un dialogue interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes de risques, February 3, 2015
• Xavier Guchet, Philosophy of nanotechnologyHermann, 342 p., November 2014
• Les nanotechnologies ou l’impensé de l’épistémologie : d’une science qui représente à une science qui intervient, Guèye, Thierno, Thesis, Montreal, Université du Québec à Montréal, Doctor of Philosophy, Canada, 2014
• Marie-Hélène Parizeau, Soheil Kash, A chacun son développement durable? from cultural diversity to nanotechnologies, Collection Bioéthique Critique, 2017
• Brice Laurent, The Politics of NanotechnologyCharles Léopold Mayer, 2010, pp. 105-146
• Jean-Gabriel Ganascia, Robotique, éthique et nanotechnologies, in Nanosciences: nanotoxicologie, nanoéthique, Belin, pp.579-591, 2010
• Goran Hermeren, Ethical issues raised by nanotechnologies, Annales des mines – réalités industrielles, 2010
• Bernadette Bensaude-Vincent, The vertigo of technoscience. Shaping the world atom by atomParis, Éditions La Découverte, 2009

In English

• Nicholas Surber, Too Enabling to Fail – Ethics and Practices in the Legitimation of Nanotechnology, Thesis for the degree of licentiate of Philosophy, 2023
• Arnold AM at al., The Promise of Emergent Nanobiotechnologies for In Vivo Applications and Implications for Safety and Security, Health Security, 408-423, 2022
• Furxhi et al, Correction to: Precaution as a Risk in Data Gaps and Sustainable Nanotechnology Decision Support Systems: a Case Study of Nano-Enabled Textiles Production, Nanoethics, 2022
• Moniz et al., Manufacturing Life” in Real Work Processes? New Manufacturing Environments with Micro- and NanoroboticsNanoethics, 2022
• Kokotovich et al, Responsible Innovation Definitions, Practices, and Motivations from Nanotechnology Researchers in Food and Agriculture, Nanoethics, 2021
• Franz Seifert and Camilo Fautz, Hype after Hype: From Bio to Nano to AI, Nanoethics, 2021
• Saldívar-Tanaka, L. and Hansen, S.F. Should the precautionary principle be implemented in Europe with regard to nanomaterials? Expert interviews. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 2021
• Bernadette Bensaude-Vicent, From Nano Backlash to Public Indifference: Some Reflections on French Public Dialogues on Nanotechnology, Nanoethics, 2021

Non-governmental organizations

In French

• ICTA et al, Principles for monitoring nanotechnologies and nanomaterials, 2012
• ETC Group, New technologies in Africa: a threat to sovereignty, Pampazuka News, 2011
• Ligue des droits de l’homme (LDH), Du danger des nanotechnologies, Hommes & Libertés n° 144, 2008
• Pièces et Main d’Œuvre (PMO) :
  • Aujourd’hui le nanomonde – Les nanotechnologies, un projet de société totalitaire, L’Echappée, 2008
  • Aujourd’hui le nanomonde- Enquête sur la police des populations à l’ère technologique, L’Echappée, 2008
  • Nanotechnologies Maxiservitudes, L’Esprit frappeur, 2006
• ETC Group, La Ferme atomisée – L’impact des nanotechnologies sur l’agriculture et l’alimentation, November 2004 (also available in English)

In English

• ICTA et al, Principles for the oversight of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials, 2012
• ETC Group, The Big Downturn: Nanogeopolitics, December 2010

Media

In French

• Nathalie Devillier, NBIC ou la grande convergence et ses effets secondaires, Les Echos, March 2014
• Nanoscoope, Miniaturization, Micro and Nanotechnologies: Ethical Issues in Emerging Technologies, May 2016
• Reporterre, Why nanotechnologies are filth, April 16, 2016
• France Culture, Nanotechnologies in our future, radio program, “Continent sciences,” September 21, 2015
• The Guardian, Yes, nanoscience can enhance humans – but ethical guidelines must be agreed, July 2013

In English

• Kristin Omberg, Nanoparticles will change the world, but whether it’s for the better depends on decisions made now, The Conversation, September 2023
• Muhammad Hamdan, The Ethical Implications of Nanotechnology in Modern Warfare: Balancing Benefits and Risks, Modern Diplomacy, March 2023
• Sigal Samuel, Your brain may not be private much longer, Vox, March 2023
• Arzo Puri, The Impact of Nanomedicine on Society, Azo Nano, October 2022
• AMA, Nanoethics: It’s time for big thinking about nanomedicine,April 2019

Public or para-public organizations

In French

• ANSES, Assessment of the risks associated with nanomaterials – Issues and update of knowledge, Annex 4 “Ethical issues of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials”, April 2014
• Joint Consultative Ethics Committee for Agricultural Research, CIRAD / INRA, Opinion on nanoscience and nanotechnology, December 2012
• French Bishops’ Conference, Nanotechnologies, social and ethical issues, May 2010
• European Commission, Recommendation on a code of conduct for responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research, 2008/3455, February 7, 2008
• Comité Consultatif National d’Ethique pour les Sciences de la Vie et de la Santé (CCNE), Ethical issues raised by nanosciences, nanotechnologies and health, February 2007
• CNRS Ethics Committee (COMETS), Avis sur les enjeux éthiques des nanosciences et nanotechnologies, October 2006

In English

• UNESCO, Tomorrow, how will we share our world with machines and robots?, May 2016
• Contera S, Can nanotechnology reduce inequality?, July 2, 2015
• European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE), Opinion on the ethical aspects of nanomedicine, January 24, 2007.
• Schummer J, Identifying Ethical Issues of Nanotechnologies, in Henk AMJ ten Have, Nanotechnologies, ethics and politics, UNESCO, 79-98, 2007
• The Royal Society & The Royal Academy of Engineering, Nanoscience and nanotechnologies; opportunities and uncertainties, 2004 (chapter 6:Social and ethical issues)
• The Community Health and Consumer Protection (European Commission), Nanotechnologies: a Preliminary Risk Analysis on the Basis of a Workshop Organized in Brussels on 1–2 March 2004, 2004 (part 1.1.1.1.2 Ethics)

Beyond nanos: Ethical issues surrounding NBICs

In French

• Jean-Christophe Noël, In search of the augmented soldier. Hopes and illusions of a promising conceptStrategic Focus by the Defense Research Laboratory of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), September 2020
• Raja Chatila, Scientific progress: beware of the “confusion” between man and robot, Le Monde, March 11, 2018
• Anthony Laurent, The technologization of life: from myth to reality, Critical Sciences, March 1, 2018
• André Bellon, I don’t doubt, therefore I don’t think, Sciences critiques, February 14, 2018
• Le Monde, Avec l’essor de la biométrie, la société en liberté surveillée, March 11, 2018
• Le Monde, In Sweden, electronic chips in the skin, October 3, 2017
• Slate, U.S. company to implant microchips in employees’ hands, July 24, 2017
• Le Monde, The security headache of connected objects, January 27, 2017
• David Larousserie, “Intelligence artificielle Faut-il avoir peur des progrès récents de l’AI?”, Le Monde Idées, July 2, 2016
• Le Monde, The surveillance society of connected objects, June 6, 2016
• Joël Colloc, Santé et Big Data : l’Etat et les individus, impuissants face aux pouvoirs des réseaux, L’Espace Politique, 26, 2015
• Le Monde, Killer robots, lawless autonomous weapons, September 24, 2015
• Michel Blay, Can we escape the permanent innovation syndrome? CNRS Le Journal, 2014

In English

• Sally Randles et al, Two tribes or more? The historical emergence of discourse coalitions of responsible research and innovation (rri) and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)Journal of Responsible Innovation, 2022