Integrating social and ethical reflection in nanobiotechnological practice
Project description
Nanobiotechnology is an upcoming field of technology, which gives raises to various social and ethical issues. However, many nanobiotechnologists lack the framework and tools to take responsibility and communicate their ethical considerations. The goal of this PhD project is to establish a framework and tools to broaden nanobiotechnological development by taking into account social and ethical considerations during research and design processes.
It is increasingly recognized that nanobiotechnology raises a range of ethical issues and that there is a need for responsible nanotechnological development. This is not only a responsibility of governments and policy makers and other societal groups, but also of the nanobiotechnologists themselves. Many nanobiotechnologists indeed say that they have considered, or are willing to consider, the ethical and social impacts of their work. Currently, though, many still do tend to dismiss the concerns which people have about the nanotechnology in terms of being “just another new technology” and find the solution in the so-called “deficit model” of science communication. One of the reasons for this is probably that nanobiotechnologists lack a framework and the tools for discussing the relevant ethical issues and assuming responsibility.
The goal of the research therefore is to develop tools that assist engineers and scientists in nanobiotechnology to assume responsibility for nanotechnological development and to discuss relevant ethical issues. In particular, we are thinking of tools that help nanobiotechnologists:
- to recognize the relevant ethical issues
- to reflect on these issues and on their own responsibility with respect to these issues
- to integrate such reflections and relevant considerations into their research/design
- to account for the choices they make to society
- to communicate their activities in the light of ethical considerations
Research partners
On this project there will be close collaboration with the 3TU.Centre for Bio-Nano Applications.
The project will benefit from the input from a number of EU and national projects, both at the Department of Biotechnology (TU Delft) and the other participating groups. The project will link with the EU funded project in the same research group “NanobioRaise” which aims to identify and discuss upcoming issues in nanobiotechnology.
Promotors
Prof. Julian Kinderlerer
Prof. Jeroen van der Hoven.
Supervisors
Dr. Patricia Osseweijer
Dr. ir. Ibo van de Poel
Funding
Half of the PhD research project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Section on Biotechnology and Society (TU Delft). For the other half, the 3TU.Centre for Ethics and technology has made funding available.Key publications
There are currently no publications for this project 2.