Responsible Nanobiotechnology: Philosophy and Ethics
Features
- Comprehensive and systematic presentation of ethical and philosophical issues of nano(bio)technology
- Review and further development of recent work in this field
- Development of a general framework called "explorative philosophy" for analyzing visionary sciences
Summary
This book comprehensively reviews the considerations of nanotechnology elaborated in philosophy, ethics, and the social sciences and systematizes and develops them further. It focuses on the issues of ethical responsibility regarding chances and risks of nanotechnology and its possible applications in the fields of synthetic nanoparticles, synthetic biology, animal enhancement, and human enhancement. The book has been, thus, put in the context of the keywords "responsible innovation" and "reflective sciences," which have been central concepts in the debates about the relationship between science and society for the last few years.
Table of Contents
Nanotechnology in Context
Ethics, Technology, and Risk
Ethics of Nano(Bio)Technology: The Program
Ethics of Nano(Bio)Technology: An Overview
Synthetic Nanoparticles
Toward Creating Artificial Life
Animal Enhancement
Human Enhancement
Explorative Nanophilosophy: More Than Applied Ethics
Conclusions and Perspectives
Editorial Reviews
"Responsible Nanobiotechnology: Philosophy and Ethics makes an important contribution. This book provides an informed and in-depth analysis of the nature, implications, and future advances of nanotechnology in the biomedical sciences. More importantly, the author addresses these issues with philosophical clarity to disentangle the complex issues emerging on the horizon of nanobiotechnological development. I strongly recommend it."
—Prof. Fabrice Jotterand - UT Southwestern Medical Center, USA
"Sober and substantial, clear-headed and circumspect, Armin Grunwald provides more than a most welcome overview of nanoethics and responsible innovation in nanobiotechnology or synthetic biology. Not beholden to fanciful visions, he provides an introduction to a nanophilosophy that allows him to explore complex issues ranging from nanoparticle safety to the creation of artificial life."
—Prof. Alfred Nordmann - Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
