Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nanoethics Symposium Featured in International Journal of Applied Philosophy

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Abstract:
First-of-its-kind collection signals growing interest in nanotechnology's implications

Nanoethics Symposium Featured in International Journal of Applied Philosophy

SANTA BARBARA, CA | Posted on January 7th, 2007

The Nanoethics Group today announced creating a nanoethics symposium for the International Journal of Applied Philosophy, published and to be distributed in the coming week. Comprised of papers from some of the most respected thinkers in the field, the symposium is the first in nanoethics to appear in a leading academic philosophy journal - highlighting the increasing urgency and attention surrounding nanotechnology's ethical and societal implications.

Opening with a brief introduction to nanotechnology and its ethics, the symposium offers the reader a sampling of near-, mid- and far-term issues, such as risk and regulation, privacy, human enhancement as well as artificial intelligence. The symposium papers are:

1. "What's So Special about Nanotechnology and Nanoethics?" by Fritz Allhoff and Patrick Lin (Western Michigan Univ./The Nanoethics Group)

2. "The Precautionary Principle in Nanotechnology" by John Weckert (Charles Sturt Univ.) and Jim Moor (Dartmouth)

3. "Introducing Standards of Care in the Commercialization of Nanotechnology" by Vivian Weil (Illinois Institute of Technology)

4. "Nanotechnology and Privacy: the Instructive Case of RFID" by Jeroen van den Hoven (Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands)

5. "Altering the Body: Nanotechnology and Human Nature" by Robin Zebrowski (Univ. of Oregon)

6. "Nano-enabled AI: Some Philosophical Issues" by J. Storrs Hall (Institute of Molecular Manufacturing)

"It's easy to get caught up in the excitement over nanotechnology, but that exuberance is irrational if we don't also keep an eye on nanotechnology's impact on society, both good and bad," said Patrick Lin, Ph.D., director of The Nanoethics Group. "This symposium demonstrates that there are philosophically-rich and productive debates to consider in nanoethics. We thank the authors who contributed to our symposium as well as the International Journal of Applied Philosophy, which has always been forward-thinking in its coverage of key emerging areas in ethics."

The International Journal of Applied Philosophy is a peer-reviewed journal committed to the view that philosophy can and should be brought to bear upon the practical issues of life. Recent topics covered by the journal include affirmative action, alcohol abuse on college campuses, business ethics, gambling, journalism ethics, just-war theory, medical ethics, retribution, terrorism, and torture.

For more information about the journal or its latest symposium on nanoethics, please see http://www.pdcnet.org/ijap.html . For the introductory paper by The Nanoethics Group, please see http://www.nanoethics.org/paper10807.html .

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About The Nanoethics Group
The Nanoethics Group is a non-partisan and independent research organization formed to study nanotechnology’s impact on society and related ethical issues. As professional ethicists, we help to identify and evaluate possible harms and conflicts as well as to bring balance and common sense to the debate. Our mission is to educate and advise both organizations and the broader public on these issues as a foundation to guide policy and responsible research. For more information, please visit http://www.nanoethics.org .

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Contacts:
Patrick Lin, Ph.D.
Research Director
The Nanoethics Group
patrick at nanoethics.org
+1.805.570.5651

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