Do new Ethical Issues Arise at Each Stage of Nanotechnological Development?

The literature concerning ethical issues associated with nanotechnologies has become prolific. However, it has been claimed that ethical problems are only at stake with rather sophisticated nanotechnologies such as active nanostructures, integrated nanosystems and heterogeneous molecular nanosystems, whereas more basic nanotechnologies such as passive nanostructures mainly pose technical difficulties. In this paper I argue that fundamental ethical issues are already at stake with this more basic kind of nanotechnologies and that ethics impacts every kind of nanotechnologies, already from the simplest kind of engineered nanoproducts. These ethical issues are mainly associated with the social desirability of nanotechnologies, with the difficulties to define nanotechnologies properly, with the important uncertainties surrounding nanotechnologies, with the threat of ‘nano-divide’, and with nanotechnology as ‘dual-use technology’

Responsible, Inclusive Innovation and the Nano-divide

Policy makers from around the world are trying to emulate successful innovation systems in order to support economic growth. At the same time, innovation governance systems are being put in place to ensure a better integration of stakeholder views into the research and development process. In Europe, one of the most prominent and newly emerging governance frameworks is called Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). This article aims to substantiate the following points: (1) The concept of RRI and the concept of justice can be used to derive similar ethical positions on the nano-divide. (2) Given the ambitious policy aims of RRI (e.g. economic competitiveness enhancer), the concept may be better suited to push for ethical outcomes on access to nanotechnology and its products rather than debates based on justice issues alone. It may thus serve as a mediator concept between those who push solely for competitiveness considerations and those who push solely for justice considerations in nano-technology debates. (3) The descriptive, non-normative Systems of Innovation approaches (see below) should be linked into RRI debates to provide more evidence on whether the approach advocated to achieve responsible and ethical governance of research and innovation (R&I) can indeed deliver on competitiveness (in nano-technology and other fields)

Children's consent to treatment: using a scale to assess degree of self-determination

Discussion and debate regarding decision-making that is 'in the best interest of the child' and that also considers the child's voice in these decisions have increased in recent years. A study was undertaken to identify everyday situations in medical and nursing care in which children had been allowed to have a voice or been denied the right. Twenty-six hospitalized children, ages 6 to 17 years, and 21 parents were interviewed concerning their experiences with hospitalization. The interviews contained examples of 100 situations in which the children could have had a say in decisions concerning their care and treatment. An instrument describing five levels of self-determination was used to analyze the situations. The results showed that there are situations in the daily care of children who are hospitalized where it is possible to discuss the degree of self-determination of the child. To different degrees, staff members honored children's choices in questions concerning their own health

Etik och estetisk tandvård

The objective of this article is to present the background and the rules of regulations for the ethic considerations that are mandatory in aesthetic dentistry. It also presents a systematic approach in the handling of the ethic analysis