Moving the nanoscience and technology (NST) - debate forwards: short-term impacts, long-term - uncertainty and the social constitution
Auteur(s): ARNALL Alexander HuwPARR Douglass
Date de publication: 2004
Publié par: Elsevier Ltd.
Nanoscience and technology (NST) are widely cited to be the defining technology for the 21st
century. In recent years, the debate surrounding NST has become increasingly public, with much of
this interest stemming from two radically opposing long-term visions of a NST-enabled future—
‘nano-optimism’ and ‘nano-pessimism’. This paper demonstrates that NST is a complex and wideranging
discipline, the future of which is characterised by uncertainty. It argues that consideration of
the present-day issues surrounding NST is essential if the public debate is to move forwards. In
particular, the social constitution of an emerging technology is crucial if any meaningful discussion
surrounding costs and benefits is to be realised. An exploration of the social constitution of NST
raises a number of issues, of which unintended consequences and the interests of those who own and
control new technologies are highlighted.
Langue(s): anglais
Le(s) document(s) complet(s):
arnallparr_sciinsociety [ .pdf (150 ko ) ]