Nano-science and the Privileged Position of Science
Introduction: This chapter generally addressed the issue of potential impacts of Nano-science. As a technology that is really on the front edge, nanotechnology has not convinced public due to its unintended consequence once it put into practice. Although nanotechnology might be harmful to entire society, governments and corporations still support its development for some reasons. Woodhouse explored Nano-science thoughtfully from its nature to its interaction between other social elements, such as government, business and science. On the other hand, the article “Tiny Primer on Nano-Scale Technologies” focused on potential consequences that would bring by prevalent application of Nano-technology.
First of all, Nano-science or so-called nanotechnology means building complex objects or structures precisely under atom level. In some scientists’ eyes, current biological systems, energy consumptions, industrial production and even medical treatment, is not efficient enough to confront gradually serious social and environmental problems. Through using nanotechnology, new materials could be created, the way of consuming solar energy could be redefined, and new medical technology could be applied.
However, even it seems nanotechnology may provide people with so much benefits, a large amount of serious social consequences still need more meditations. In the textbook, Woodhouse explained relationships among government, business and science. The first question might be: As a technology that is largely under experimental stage, why is nanotechnology supported by governments and private corporations regardless of its side effects? From standpoint of government, there are two main reasons for government to do so. The first one is the possibility of technological supremacy over the rest of world will guarantee the future of a country. Government organization might approve or even sponsor certain research in considerations of national interests. The second reason is sort of evil but more close to truth. Nanotechnology might foster interests of political-economic elites. In order to preserve certain social hierarchy and privilege, some government officials may make policies that beneficial to nanotechnology research.
On another aspect, corporations also support nanotechnology even sometimes it turns out that the cost of it overweigh its benefit since a technology in new field would be a perfect lurk for investors. For example, using tiny and ingestible sensor to diagnose illness will get a more precise result, but it also will increase the cost of medical treatment. Obviously, normal patients are not able to afford the cost under current circumstance. But institutions will be sponsored by government merely because its possibility of improving medical treatments. Thus, funds will be relatively easily raised and profits will be made compared to traditional technology research.
The third factor, which is usually ignored by most people, is the privileged position of science. Although it is a fact that political power and business power could exert great influence on high-end technology, scientists actually have unnoticeable superiority in deciding the direction of technology’s development. On one hand, in most occasions, the research of certain technology requires experts like scientists who have received education of relative background. People often trust scientists because On the other hand, these scientists not only trained next generation of specialists, but also use and shape the platform. From this perspective, scientists have large power over nanotechnology.
Unintended consequences of nanotechnology might be disastrous. Since nanotechnology could alter material and element property, new element and material become possible. Once new material that has unrivalled advantages could be massively produced under lower cost, the commodity market will change drastically. Direct consequences of this wave are economic recessions of countries that rely on certain fields influenced by nanotechnology. As a result, labors that do not have sufficient flexibility of taking new skills for nanotechnology will lose their jobs. For instance, if man-made rubber through nanotechnology replaced natural rubber, many workers in southeastern Asia will be unemployed. The following decline of local economy is predictable.
Besides, the patent system controlled by monopolies only increases the inequality between rich people and poor people, developed countries and developing countries. Since nanotechnology is still under experiment, its side effect in human health is unpredictable and unknown for now. Recently, some scientists just found that some nano-particles are more toxic than their larger versions based on mobility and reactivity of nano-particles.
Nanotechnology may also put threat to national security. Since it is invisible to most equipment on the earth, biological and chemical weapon that is hard to be detected might be used to attack citizens. More straightforwardly, these high-end weapons poise threats to democracy while it raised a war revolution.
In order to prevent latent risks of nanotechnologies, both Woodhouse and the author of the article manifested several potential solutions. Based on error and trial experience, people could wait relatively long time to ensure some nanotechnologies are safe enough. In addition, a new international organization should be established to track, evaluate and decide whether some nanotechnologies are safe to be put into practice. What’s more, scientists should be trained to put safety as priority during nanotechnology research. Certain education reform is required for this aspect.
All in all, although I do agree with the statement: “Unintended consequences are a normal part of technological innovation”, I still glad to see these solutions minimizing the price as well as the barrier of technological progress.
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