DCU lecturer contributes to huge debate of our time
“Nanoethics - Big Ethical Issues with Small Technology” is a new book by Dr. Dónal O’Mathúna, lecturer in ethics, decision-making and evidence.
In an accessible and informative way, the book explores how nanotechnology is likely to impact the lives of ordinary people in the coming years and why ethical reflection on nanotechnology is needed now.
Nanotechnology manipulates matter at the atomic level. It leads to innovative processes and products that are revolutionizing many areas of modern life. Huge amounts of public funds are being invested in the science, yet the public has little understanding of the technology or its ethical implications.
Surveillance devices may become so small that they are practically invisible to the naked eye, raising concerns about privacy. Nanomedicine may lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic devices, yet anxieties have been raised about the impact of 'nanobots' circulating in our bodies. Military applications, or misuses, of nanotechnology raise other concerns.
O'Mathúna's timely book makes a significant contribution to this important debate. The author, who is a senior lecturer at Dublin City University (DCU), believes that asking questions about the rights and wrongs of nanotechnology is an important contribution to the field, and notes that the European Union and the United States are both paying growing attention to ethical and safety aspects of nanotechnology.
"I think that we have a remarkable example of human ingenuity that has the potential to do an awful lot of good or possibly a lot of harm or even wasting time," O'Mathúna said.
"And all along the way there are going to be decisions based on our ethical priorities and those go into where the Government decides to put its money, where scientists decide to focus their energies and where companies decide to develop and market their products...
"[A]re we going to focus on things that will really solve some of the big needs of the world or give ourselves new nanotoys?" O'Mathúna asks. (Source: Irish Times and other)