Iranian J Publ Health. IranianA supplementary J Publ Health. issue onA supplementaryBioethics, Vol 37,issu No1,e on Bioethics,January 2008, Vol 37,pp.12-17 No1, 2008, pp.12-17

Bioethical Issues of at a Glance

M Aala1, B Larijani 1, 2, *F Zahedi1

1Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran 2Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract Nanotechnology is considered as an industrial revolution of the third millennium. Advances have a remarkable impact on different fields such as medicine, engineering, economy and even politics. However, a wide range of ethical issues has been raised by this innovative science. Many authorities believe that these advancements could lead to irreversible disasters if not limited by ethical guidelines. Involvement of developing countries in new fields of science could be associated with substantial advantages. In this paper, we intend to review main ethical issues of nanotechnology, taking into account the surge of interests in this field and the ever-increasing advances of nanotechnology in Iran. The issue of safety, considering environmental and ecological impacts of nanoparticles (smart dust), and standards of customer awareness are important de- bates. The ‘Grey-goo’ scenario and the concerns about ‘post-humanism’ are also discussed by bioethicists. There are further concerns about justice, intellectual property rights, accountability, and the probability of military and security misuse.

Keywords: Nanotechnology, Nanoethics, Bioethics, Iran

Introduction ogy could be "from utopian dreams and apoca- Nanotechnology, also called molecular manu- lyptic nightmares (5)". facturing, as an emerging field of science, has Public and private expenditure on research in paved the way for an industrial revolution in the this innovative field has dramatically increased current century. In 1986, a researcher named in recent years (6). This branch of science has Eric Drexler in his book, , focused on the creation of functional materials, called this rapidly expanding branch of knowl- devices, and systems through the control of mat- edge "nanotechnology" (1). The goal of nanotech- ter on the nanometer scale, and the exploitation nology is to build nanocomputers and nanomachi- of novel phenomena and properties (physical, nes no bigger than bacteria, which like robots chemical, biological, mechanical, electrical, etc) work at the atomic level of any physical or bio- at that length scale (7). Undoubtedly, advances logical objects. This may be sound like science will have a tremendous impact on fields such as fiction, but ever-increasing evidence shows that materials, electronics, and medicine (6). Many de- these nanorobots could be used in near future. veloping countries are active participants in the For instance, in the field of medicine, some of field of innovative sciences. It is obvious that Archive ofinvolvement SID of developing countries in new fields its more prominent benefits would be pharmaceu- tical creation, disease treatment, and nanomachine- of science would have advantages; for instance, it assisted surgery (2). With nanomachines, we could provide appropriate and more affordable could better design and synthesize pharmaceuti- solutions to the particular local health needs. cals; we could directly treat diseased cells like However, rapid advances in biomedical sci- cancer; we could better monitor the life signs of ences have been associated with debates about a patient; or we could use nanomachines to make ethical aspects of the new knowledge in differ- microscopic repairs in hard-to-operate-on areas ent societies. The ethical issues and the possible of the body (2-4). According to an interesting benefits and harms about nanotechnology are in- phrase, the benefits and hazards of nanotechnol- creasingly discussed, as well as its implications for

12 *Corresponding author: Tel: +98 21 88026902-3, Fax: +98 21 88029399, E-mail: [email protected]

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international relations in science and technol- rently under investigation include risks of lung ogy policies. Special efforts should be made to and heart diseases from inhaled nanoparticles, address the related issues. accumulation of non-biodegradable nanoparticles In current paper, we will review the main ethical in the liver and uptake into the brain. Nanopar- issues of nanotechnology in brief. For compil- ticles may also enter the food chain (14). ing of the article, we have searched related sources Regulating or managing emerging technologies is through the databases of PubMed, Ovid and particularly complex, especially when there is Google Scholar, using keywords of ethics and very little only insignificant data on their possi- nanotechnology. We also searched some Iranian ble effects on human health and environment. sites of nanotechnology, which have had ever-in- Majority of the ethical issues that are most of- creasing numbers of visitors in recent decade. ten brought up in relation to are issues that have arisen in relation to other environmental promises and threats. Specters Main Ethical Issues such as the threat of biological harm, the creation Due to the far-ranging claims that have been of radically new kinds of materials, and the threat made about potential applications of nanotechnol- to the meaning of being human are all familiar ogy, a number of concerns have been raised worries raised by technological developments about the effects of nanotechnology on the soci- such as nuclear power, genetically modified or- ety and what action, if any, is appropriate to ganisms, ecosystem restoration, and human ge- mitigate these risks (8). Some peculiarities of netic therapies (15). According to the safety nanotechnologies rise to specific ethical concerns, concerns, accountability of scientists and re- including: invisibility, rapid development, mili- searchers is an essential principle. tary and security use, global impact, and risk of Another growing ethical concern related to “nano-divide” (9). The invisibility of nanotech- nanotechnology is called ‘Grey-goo’ scenario nologies after application makes it difficult to (16). It is based on the fear that nanotechnologi- control and trace their effects (9). cal devices will either be programmed to self- While benefits of nanotechnology are widely pub- replicate, or they will ‘evolve’ into devices capa- licized, the discussion of the potential effects of ble of self- replicating, and if should they proceed their widespread use in the consumer and in- to do so, they may destroy the natural world (16). dustrial products is just beginning to emerge This serious risk of nanotechnology, have been (10, 11). Short-term issues include the effects brought to the attention of the public by Bill of widespread use of nano-materials on human Joy (17) by discussing about the research with health and the environment. Little experimental regard to assemblers. The nanomachines will data about unintended and adverse effects of have the worrisome capacity of self-replication nano-particles exists (12) and this is the main (5). Without this kind of assemblers it is hardly ethical issue which have examined related to imaginable how molecular manufacturing could human health concern.Archive Scientists are primarily ofever become SID practically feasible. This would in- concerned with toxicity, characterization and ex- volve grave dangers such as unbridled self-replica- posure pathways. Other than the obvious poten- tion. In this case, since the newly produced as- tial risks to patients, there are other toxicologi- semblers would also start replicating themselves, cal risks associated with (12, 13). the total number of assemblers would grow ex- Like natural and residual nanoparticles, synthetic ponentially. If these uncontrolled assemblers used nanoparticles may have undesirable effects on a wide variety of raw materials as resources for health. The people most likely to be affected are self-replication, they could devour the whole those who produce, handle, use, or dispose of biosphere in an amazingly short while. The bio- nanoparticles. Health impacts of nanoparticles cur- sphere would, so to speak, be transformed into

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(5, 17). Global ecophagy, “according be considered as an important incentive for to this catastrophic scenario imagined by certain innovation and invention. On account of this nanotechnology specialists, the uncontrolled self- fact, paying particular attention to the rights of replication of nanorobots with the potential to pioneers is the subject of ethical notice. Some destroy all of earth’s ecosystems by transform- questions are also raised about public versus ing everything they find into goo” (18). It may private control of intellectual property (22). destroy the natural world. Fears of global eco- The risk of “nano-divide”, as another worth phagy and self-replicating nanorobots are closely noticing ethical issue, mentions potential deepen- tied and difficult to separate (16). ing of inequalities between developing and de- Human enhancement and its ethical aspects are veloped countries (9). Nanotechnology has pro- discussed by authorities. Not only will it be possi- vided a special opportunity for developing coun- ble to overcome contemporary diseases, pain tries to build their infrastructures more ad- and other unpleasant bodily symptoms. Over and vanced and to reduce global health inequities. above, nanotechnology will enable us to en- Consequently, there are also further concerns hance all our human capabilities and properties about justice and resource allocation. This issue (19). Among the applications of nanotechnology is very different in developed and developing are enhancements to human memory, physical countries. Allocation of limited resources for such strength, and other features; in other words, ‘post- an innovative subject would be ethically chal- humanism’. Such enhancements run the gamut lenging, considering the health care priorities in from nanoscale sensors that might be added to less developed societies. On the other hand, if the retina which improve sight to cochlear im- developing countries do not play a significant plants to improve hearing to performance en- role in innovative technologies like nanoscience, hancement technologies for athletes or to new they must pay more expenses for providing the forms of plastic surgery. Some believe that by new products in the future. The mentioned facts defending post human dignity we promote a more highlight the issue of the global impacts of inclusive human ethics, one that will embrace nanotechnoloy, and risk of “nano-divide”. Deci- future technologically modified people as well as sion-making about investment on the current humans of the contemporary kind. We also re- researches is vital and needs special ethical as- move a detective double standard from the field sessment by policy-makers in developing countries. of our moral vision, to allow us perceiving more clearly the opportunities that exist for further human progress (20, 21). Nanotechnology in Iran Also, military and security misuse are other con- The research on nanotechnology has been con- cerns about nanotechnologic advances. We can stantly rising recently. As a national future strat- call nanoparicles "smart dust". Infinitesimally small egy in Islamic Republic of Iran, the Special surveillance devices such as nanoscale tracking Office for Nanotechnology Development has devices, nanosensors,Archive nanocameras and nanomi- ofcompiled SID a ten-yr strategy of nanotechnology crophones could enable dictatorial observation development (2005-2014) (23). The Iranian site and control of subjects in a way that is totally of Nanotechnology Initiative (www.nano.ir) (24) unprecedented (5). Nanotechnology could also has been one of the most visited sites in this become an instrument of terrorism (8). Nanotech- subject in the world. It seems that tendency to- nology research could be used to contribute to ward nanotechnology is growing up in our coun- the creation of nefarious kinds of weapons by try. Taken into account the rising number of terrorists or by governments. published articles, containing 250 articles re- Intellectual property rights and patent manage- lated to nanotechnology, Republic Islamic of ment, particularly in the materialist world, could Iran obtained the first position among Islamic

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countries and the ranking of Iran in Nanotechnol- tioned that nanotechnology is an interdiscipli- ogy in the world was 32 in 2006 (24). nary enterprise, so the globe is confronted with An emphasis on ethics has been voiced by challenges in different fields of ethics, law, eco- medical and religious professions in Iran in re- nomics, and politics. However, its ethical issues cent decade (25-27). According to the positive are not limited to those discussed in this brief decrees (Fatwa) of religious scholars about chal- overview. lenging bioethical issues such as organ trans- plantation, abortion, assisted reproductive tech- nologies, and stem cell research in Iran; the References parliament has ratified some laws related to bio- 1. Drexler KE (1986). Engines of Creation: The ethics in recent years (28-31). Some guidelines Coming Era of Nanotechnology. 1st ed. in different fields of biomedical science are also Anchor Books, New York. Available from: compiled (26, 32). Providing basic standards and www.e-drex-ler.com/d/06/00/EOC/ proper ethical guidelines in this field is needed. EOC_Table_of_Contents.html 2. Chen A (2002). The Ethics of Nanotechnol- Conclusion ogy. The Markkula Center for Applied Nanotechnology is showing promising develop- Ethics, Santa Clara University, Available ments in many areas and may benefit our health from: www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/ and welfare. However, we should be aware of submitted/chen/nanotechnology.html possible unwanted side-effects. Nanotechnology 3. Drexler KE, Peterson C, Pergamit G (1991). Unbounding the Future: the Nanotech- means new materials and components, which st can be included in many different existing prod- nology Revolution. 1 ed. Quill, New ucts or enable new products (14). Despite po- York. Available from: tential benefits of nanotechnology, there are po- www.foresight.org/UTF/Unbound_LB W/index.html tential ethical issues, which need desirable solutions. According to the emphasis of the United Na- 4. Syed IB (2003). Nanotechnology. The Foun- tions Educational, Scientific and Cultural Or- tain, 43. Available from: ganization (UNESCO) on the nanoethics in re- http://www.fountainmagazine.com/arti- cent years (8, 9), early assessment of ethical, le- cles.php?SIN=00ba7d9f42&k=21&187 gal and social implications of nanotechnologies 0705250&show=part1 will create opportunities to develop a normative 5. Gordijn B (2003). Nanoethics: from utopian dreams and apocalyptic nightmares: to- framework in this field. Therefore, voluntary guide- lines on science ethics and nanotechnologies as wards a more Balanced View. UNESCO mentioned (particularly in regard to safety issues) website: Paper on ethics related to nanotech- could be elaborated in a consultative process nology, presented at the Third Session of and proposed as an indicativeArchive ethical framework of COMEST.SID Available from: for countries, corporations or scientific organi- http://portal.unesco.org/shs/en/files/660 3/10960368721 Nanoethics.pdf/ zations. Such guidelines could also inspire national regulations. Therefore, setting standards of quality Nanoethics.pdf and safety and compiling appropriate culturally 6. Mnyusiwalla A, Daar AS, Singer PA (2003). Mind the gap: science and ethics adapted guidelines and directives are recommended. Developing countries should seize opportunity in nanotechnology. Nanotechnology, 14(3): in order to build capacity in new technologies R9–R13. and to meet local health needs; and thereby, re- 7. Center for Nanotechnology of NASA (2007). duce global health inequities. It should be men- Nanotechnology definition. Available from:

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