Ethics of Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is actually a fairly new idea. This may not seem like any big deal in terms of ethics, but just like any type of scientific advancement there are positives and negatives. Of course the ethical issues don’t stem out of just the fact that this is a new kind of science. It branches off of “what will this new scientific technology be used for?” For example, Embryonic Stem Cell research. It’s not the research that’s bad it’s how they get the cells. There are half a dozen, maybe more, different places to get the same type of cells without taking the life of that unborn child.
The term, Nanotechnology, was first introduced back in the mid 1970’s by a Japanese researcher named Norio Taniguchi to mean “…precision machinery with tolerance of a micrometer or less” (Kilner 55-56). In the 1986 book by Eric Drexler, Engines of Creation, he brought the word and it’s concept in to the public’s thought. In Layman’s terms the basic idea of Nanotechnology is to make little tiny atomic size robots that can be called upon to do whatever we want them to do. Similar to having a little computer and telling it carry out an assigned task like empty the recycle bin, or something of that sort. Or in this case telling the little robot to float around in a persons body and switch out a section of DNA so that the person’s eyes are green instead of brown. Just so we know how small this a strand of DNA is 2.3 nanometers wide or if you divided a meter stick into 1 billion sections it would be 2.3 sections wide.
In many of the sciences with Nanotechnology being no exception to the rules the ethical issues are much further behind the actual research that is taking place. For some reason the research of hazards with this technology are also far behind. But isn’t that just typical of scientists? I mean here’s a group of scientists, some of the smartest men in their field of study and they automatically take the positives without any consideration for negatives. That just seems typical of the human race in general. If it helps someone then it must be good, who cares how many people we kill.
At the Rice University Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) they were stunned to discover that there had been no research in developing a risk assessment or toxicology model for synthetic nanomaterials. Like-wise and...
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...at Nanomachines should be created for general purposes with artificial intelligence (A.I.). In any case I find it very difficult to excuse the potential of these tiny little machines and their unforeseeable value. But like any other science it must be treated with care to help maintain and limit the potential harm that this microscopic technology could inflict upon us.
Works Cited
1. Chen, Andrew. “The Ethics of Nanotechnology.” online posting. March 2002. Actionbioscience. 10 Feb. 2005. .
2. Colvin Vicki. “Responsible Nanotechnology: Looking Beyond the Good News.” online posting. 2002. 10 Feb. 2005 .
3. Kilner, John F., C. Christopher Cook, Diann B. Uustal, eds. Cutting Edge Bioethics: A Christian Exploration of Technologies and Trends. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm B. Eerdman Publishing Company. 2002.
4. Kilner, John F., Rebecca D. Pentz, Frank E. Young, eds. Genetic Ethics. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm B. Eerdman Publishing Company. 1997.
5. Mnyusiwalla, Anisa, Abdallah S Daar, Peter A Singer. “Nanotechnology”
Mind the gap: science and ethics in Nanotechnology. 14.3 (March 2003): R9-R13.
6. The Ethics of Nanotechnology. 1999-2005. 7thWave, Inc.10 Feb. 2005 .
There has been some ethical issues surrounding the development and use of technology, that would consist of some advancements, such as “when in vitro fertilization is applied in medical practice and leads to the production of spare embryos, the moral question is what to do with these embryos” (Shi & Singh, 2008, p. 182). As for ethical dilemmas that comes into play with “gene mapping of humans, genetic cloning, stem cell research, and others areas of growing interest to scientist” (Shi & Singh, 2008, p. 182). “Life support technology raises serious ethical issues, especially in medical decisions regarding continuation or cessation of mechanical support, particularly when a patient exists in a permanent vegetative state” (Shi & Singh, 2008, p. 182). Health care budgets are limited throughout this world, making it hard for advancements yet even harder to develop the advancements with restraints. Which brings us back to the “social, ethical, and legal constraints, public and private insurers face the problem deciding whether or not to cover novel treatments” 188. Similarly what was mentioned before the decisions about “new reproductive techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection in vitro fertilization (ICSIIVF), new molecular genetics predictive tests for hereditary breast cancer, and the newer drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra) for sexual dysfunction” (Giacomini, 2005).
A Hub is a networking device that allows one to connect multiple PCs to a single network. Hubs may be based on Ethernet, Firewire, or USB connections. “A switch is a control unit that turns the flow of electricity on or off in a circuit. It may also be used to route information patterns in streaming electronic data sent over networks. “
In the article “Pinpointing Cancer Fight,” Liz Szabo states the uses of nanotechnology and how researchers are attempting to use this advancement to fight cancer. She defines that nanotechnology is a type of technology that creates devices on an atomic level; this equipment can allow people such as researchers to use its ability to detect cancerous cells as well as treat them. Szabo remains a neutral tone as she states that while some are against the idea of using nanotechnology since there are many risks, others are optimistic that it may lead to transformational results. She presents a list of some products developed through nanotechnology and explains its usage in addition to mentioning the failure of those nanotech products. Szabo provides
Stem cell research is a heavily debated topic that can stir trouble in even the tightest of Thanksgiving tables. The use cells found in the cells of embryos to replicate dead or dying cells is a truly baffling thought. To many, stem cell research has the potential to be Holy Grail of modern medicine. To many others, it is ultimately an unethical concept regardless of its capabilities. Due to how divided people are on the topic of stem cell research, its legality and acceptance are different everywhere. According to Utilitarianism, stem cell research should be permitted due to the amount of people it can save, however according to the Divine Command of Christianity, the means of collecting said stem cells are immoral and forbidden.
Savulescu, Julian. “Genetic Interventions and the Ethics of Human Beings.” Readings in the Philosophy of Technology. Ed. David Kaplan. 2nd ed. Lanham: Roman & Littlefield, 2009. 417-430.
The half Greek, Neapolitan poet Statius (50–95 CE) was unlike Horace as he was a professional poet. Nevertheless patronage remained essential. A modest man Statius wrote ornate, flattering poetry celebrating the villas of his patrons. However, it was in a celebration of his own villa in Alba, Piedmont where we gather further evidence of Otium, in an extract from his lyric poem ‘Silvae’.
Nanotechnology is defined as the science of design, synthesis and characterization of matter at the nanoscale, which mesures one billionth of the meter [1,2] On that scale, structures exhibit novel chemical, physical and biological properties and processes, which enables the creation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), with various characteristics and potential applications. [3] It’s not just that though. Nanotechnology shows the ability to eliminate the gaps among medicine, material engineering and science, computer technology and public policy, creating new clinical and medical approaches to better diagnose, treat and prevent any kind of illness. In fact, it is already moving from simple passive structures
The appeals courts receive cases that have already been to trial, and the accused has been convicted of the crime. The accused has the opportunity to appeal the
We have entered the 21st century and our knowledge of science, technology and medicine has increased at an outstanding rate. We have mechanical devices that allow an injured person to perform daily activities on their own. We have imaging devices that allow us to see what’s going on below surface level and diagnose diseases we would otherwise be oblivious to. We have the ability to replace dysfunctioning organs. These are not the only developments we have made and these in addition to the other medical technologies we have leave us in a position of difficult ethical decisions. A few of the major advances in biomedical technology and the ethical implications that come along with them will be addressed. The four topics that will be addressed are the scope of control in brain implants, growing organs from stem cells, embryo selection of in vitro fertilization, and the allocation of medical resources.
...nessing “the power of nanotechnology” to radically change the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer.” The most likely method implemented will by the use of nanovectors for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, and then heating nanoparticles that are attached to cancer cells so that the cancer cells explode. (5, 9) There are still many obstacles that must be overcome before this is a reality: from the ethical concern by some that nanobots will take control of the body to the more practical problem that this method of treatment will be very expensive and funding will be an issue. (6) But with millions of people suffering from some form of cancer, scientists are searching for cures and treatments and nanotechnology offers the greatest promise. One day, cancer may be completely curable thanks to nanotechnology which is something everyone would benefit from.
Nanotechnology is defined as “ a technology executed on the scale of less than 100 nanometers, the goal of which is to control individual atoms and molecules, especially to create computer chips and other microscopic devices” (Webster’s Dictionary, 1999). In the early 1970’s an MIT student by the name of K. Eric Drexler came up with the idea of manufacturing things, both biological and non-biological, from the molecular level up. Drexler noticed the amazing talents of natural biology and wondered if humans could mimic biology on a mechanical level,
The primary role of particular criminal justice agencies in the criminal court system is to make an appropriate, objective and determine decision while fulfilling their duties. For example, judges are able to interpret and apply law on particular circumstances; and police collect evidence and investigate crime through proper and legal ways, as they are all restrict to the legal regulation and bureaucratic administration (Findlay, Odgers, & Yeo, 2009, p. 21). To maintain the interests of defendants as well as public interest by avoiding innocent individual to a miscarriage of justice and giving a prompt and certain punishment to guilty individual, it is very important that each criminal justice agencies can fulfill their duties in a lawful manner, especially the legal representative. A legal representative is an individual representing defendant in court to defense and make decision for them, which means the legal representative is the only one stays at the same side as the defendant and cares the interests of the defendant. Therefore, in this report we will examine to what extent is the role of legal representation important in Local Court and Supreme Court.
20 Feb. 2014. Nardo, Don. A. Biomedical Ethics.
The security topology will determine what network devices are employed at what points in a network. At a minimum, the corporate connection to the Internet should pass through a firewall. This firewall should block all network traffic except that specifically authorized by the security policy. Blocking communications on a port is simple; just tell the firewall to close the port. The issue comes in deciding what services are needed and by whom, and thu...
Throughout history, human beings have pushed the limits of popular belief and evolved immensely by embracing technology. The quest for efficiency and the betterment of society, quality of life, medical procedures and diagnosis, and methods of healing has been an endless road of progression. Many new methods and technological advances, particularly in the medical field, have been debated with the question of ethics. Ethics is defined as the moral correctness of specified conduct. Morality is simply what one would consider right or wrong in human nature. The definition of morality leaves much to be considered when considering the ethics of genetic testing, enhancements and engineering.