Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T01:51:57.142Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Using Trading Zones and Life Cycle Analysis to Understand Nanotechnology Regulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2021

Ahson Wardak  and
Michael E. Gorman
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Productive work on societal implications needs to be engaged with the research from the start. Ethicists need to go into the lab to understand what's possible. Scientists and engineers need to engage with humanists to start thinking about this aspect of their work. Only thus, working together in dialog, will we make genuine progress on the societal and ethical issues that nanotechnology poses.

Davis Baird, in testimony before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, May 1, 2003

Federal funding of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) has averaged roughly $1 billion annually for the last three years, from 2004 to 2006. Society is poised to see more realistic nano-scale devices enter the marketplace, along with futuristic depictions of nanotechnology. For this reason, serious thought must be given to the societal impact of nanotechnology.

Type
Symposium
Information
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , Volume 34 , Issue 4 , Winter 2006 , pp. 695 - 703
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Baird, D., “Nanotechnology: Hearings before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,” 108th Congress, 1st Session, (2003).Google Scholar
Widhalm, S., “New Science on a Tiny Scale,” The Washington Times, February 17, 2005, at B01.Google Scholar
21st Century Research and Development Act, Public Law 153, 108th Congress, 1st Session (December 3, 2003): at 5.Google Scholar
Galison, P., Image & Logic: A Material Culture of Microphysics (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1997).Google Scholar
Gorman, M. E., “Expanding the Trading Zones for Convergent Technologies,” in Roco, M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., eds., Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance: Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science (Dordrecht, Netherlands: Kluwer, 2003): at 424–428; Gorman, M. E. Groves, J. F., and Catalano, R. K., “Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology,” IEEE Technology and Society Magazine 23, no. 4 (2004): 55–62.Google Scholar
Galison, supra note 4.Google Scholar
Collins, H. M. and Evans, R., “The Third Wave of Science Studies,” Social Studies of Science 32, no. 2 (2002): 235–296.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gorman, M. E., “Levels of Expertise and Trading Zones: Combining Cognitive and Social Approaches to Technology Studies,” in Gorman, M. E. Tweney, R. D. Gooding, D. C. and Kincannon, A., eds., Scientific and Technological Thinking (Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2005): at 287–302.Google Scholar
National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, National Nanotechnology Initiative, at <http://www.nano.gov/html/about/funding.html> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
15 U.S.C.S. § § 2601 et seq. (2005).Google Scholar
Thanawalla, C. B., Complying with TSCA Inventory Requirements (New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2002): at 13.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
60 FR (1995): 16297–16308.Google Scholar
Id.Google Scholar
Id., at 21–22.Google Scholar
Nordan, M. M. and Holman, M. W., “A Prudent Approach to Nanotechnology Environmental, Health and Safety Risks,” Industrial Biotechnology 1, no. 3 (2005): 146–149.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq (1970).Google Scholar
Perry, B., “OSHA: A Primer for Nanotechnology,” Presentation at Dialogue on Nanotechnology and Worker Safety and Health, Washington D.C., May 18, 2004.Google Scholar
Id.Google Scholar
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Press Release, OSHA Launches Hazard Communication Initiative, available at <http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=10734> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
For a more detailed analysis of FDA and nanotechnology see Wardak, A., “Implications of Federal Regulation from the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency on the Future of Nanotechnology,” Thesis Paper, B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Virginia (2004), on file with author.Google Scholar
Thanawalla, supra note 7, at 162.Google Scholar
33 U.S.C.S. §§ 1251 et seq. (2005).Google Scholar
Environmental Protection Agency, Introduction to the Clean Water Act, at <http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/pdf/IntrotoCWA.pdf> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
Environmental Protection Agency website, “List of Lists,” at <http://web-services.gov/lol/> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
42 U.S.C.S. §§ 7401 et seq. (2005).Google Scholar
42 U.S.C.S. §§ 11001 (2005).Google Scholar
Id.Google Scholar
Gray, P. L., EPCRA: Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, (Chicago: American Bar Association, 2002).Google Scholar
Fortner, J. D. et al., “C60 in Water: Nanocrystal Formation and Microbial Response,” Environmental Science and Technology 39, no. 11 (2005): 4307–4316.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
42 U.S.C.S. §§ 300f et seq. (2005).Google Scholar
Environmental Protection Agency, Safe Drinking Water Act 30th Anniversary: Understanding the Safe Drinking Water Act, at <http://www.epa.gov/safewater/sdwa/30th/factsheets/understand.html> (last visited August 28 2006).+(last+visited+August+28+2006).>Google Scholar
40 CFR §§ 723.50.Google Scholar
Thanawalla, supra note 11, at 18–19.Google Scholar
Tremblay, J. F., “Fullerenes by the Ton,” Chemical & Engineering News 81, no. 32 (2005): at 13.Google Scholar
Wardak, A. and Rejeski, D., Nanotechnology & Regulation: A Case Study using the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), White Paper on Nanotechnology Regulation from Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (October, 2003), at <http://www.foresightandgovernance.org/images/nanotsca_final2.pdf> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Lekas, D. Lifset, R., and Rejeski, D., “Analysis of Nanotechnology from an Industrial Ecology Perspective,” at <http://www.nanotechproject.org/index.php?s=reports> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
Colvin, V. L., “The Potential Environmental Impact of Engineered Nanomaterials,” Nature Biotechnology 21, no. 10 (2003): 1166–1170.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thanawalla, supra note 11, at 10–11.Google Scholar
Environmental Protection Agency,External Review Draft Nanotechnology White Paper, December 2, 2005, at <http://www.epa.gov/osa/pdfs/EPA_nanotechnology_white_paper_external_review_draft_12-02-2005.pdf> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
Natural Resources Defense Council et al., NRDC Comments on U.S. EPA External Review Draft Nanotechnology White Paper, January 31, 2006, at <http://www.icta.org/doc/Comments%20on%20EPA%20Nanotech%20White%20Paper%20Jan%2006.pdf> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
Id.Google Scholar
Bergeson, L. L. Campbell, L. M., and Rothenberg, L., “TSCA and the Future of Chemical Regulation,” EPA Administrative Law Reporter 15, no. 4 (2000): at 6.Google Scholar
Environmental Defense Fund, “Toxic Ignorance,” Non-Governmental Organization Report on Toxic Chemicals Regulation (1997) available at <http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/243_toxicignorance.pdf#search=%22toxic%20ignorance%22> (last visited August 31, 2006).+(last+visited+August+31,+2006).>Google Scholar
Id.Google Scholar
7 U.S.C.S. §§ 136 et seq. (2005).Google Scholar
Bergeson, L. L., FIFRA: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (Chicago: American Bar Association, 2000).Google Scholar
Phibbs, P. and Baltz, T., “EPA Examining Use of Nanoscale Silver In Washing Machines as Possible Pesticide,” BNA Chemical Regulation Reporter, May 15, 2006.Google Scholar
The Erosion, Technology, and Corrosion Group, “Down on the Farm: The Impact of Nano-Scale Technologies on Food and Agriculture,” at <http://www.etcgroup.org/documents/ETC_DOT-Farm2004.pdf> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
15 U.S.C. § Sec. 2051–2052 (2001).Google Scholar
Id., at 2052(a)(1).Google Scholar
Consumer Product Safety Commission website, “Frequently Asked Questions,” at <http://www.cpsc.gov/about/faq.html> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, “A Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory,” available through <http://www.nanotechproject.org/44/consumer-nanotechnology> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
Standards for the Flammability of Children's Sleepwear, 16 C.F.R. 1615.5 (2003).Google Scholar
Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Regulatory Summary for Federal Hazardous Substances Act,” at <http://www.cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/regsumfhsa.pdf> (last visited August 28, 2006); 15 U.S.C. § Sec. 1191–1204.+(last+visited+August+28,+2006);+15+U.S.C.+§+Sec.+1191–1204.>Google Scholar
Food and Drug Administration, “A Tour of the FDA,” at <http://www.eduneering.com/fda/courses/fdatour/welcome.html> (last visited August 28, 2006). All of the information on the structure of the FDA comes from this presentation.+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).+All+of+the+information+on+the+structure+of+the+FDA+comes+from+this+presentation.>Google Scholar
For more information see Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, at <http://www.nanotechproject.org/44/consumer-nanotechnology> (last visited August 28, 2006). This inventory is continually updated. The entries are mostly based on marketing claims involving products.+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).+This+inventory+is+continually+updated.+The+entries+are+mostly+based+on+marketing+claims+involving+products.>Google Scholar
Maynard, A., Nanotechnology: A Research Strategy for Addressing Risk (Washington, DC: Woodrow Wilson International Institute for Scholars, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, 2006) available for download at <www.nanotechproject.org> (last visited August 28, 2006).Google Scholar
Lekas, Lifset, , and Rejeski, supra note 36.Google Scholar
42 U.S.C.S. §§ 6901–6992 (2005).Google Scholar
Hester, T., “RCRA and CERCLA in the New World of Nanoscale Materials,” presentation at the Environmental Law Institute and Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, “Securing the Promise of Nanotechnology – Is US Environmental Law up to the Job?” May 25–26, 2005, Washington D.C., available at <http://www2.eli.org/pdf/research/nanotech/Presentations/Hester.pdf> (last visited August 28, 2006.)Google Scholar
Teets, J. W. et al., RCRA: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (Chicago: American Bar Association, 2003).Google Scholar
42 U.S.C.S. §§ 9601–9675 (2005).Google Scholar
Id.Google Scholar
Id.Google Scholar
Switzer, C. S. and Bulan, L. A., CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Chicago: American Bar Association, 2002).Google Scholar
Environmental Protection Agency, “List of Lists Database,” at <http://web-services.gov/lol/> (last visited August 28, 2006).+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
Morgan, M. G. Fischoff, B. Bostrom, A., and Atman, C. J., Risk Communication: A Mental Models Approach (New York, Cambridge University Press, 2002); Van der Heijden, K., Scenarios: The Art of Strategic Conversation (Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons, 1996).Google Scholar
Grodsky, J. A., “Genetic and Environmental Law: Redefining Public Health,” California Law Review 93, no. 1 (2005): 171–200.Google Scholar
Allenby, B., “Earth Systems Engineering and Management,” IEEE Technology & Society Magazine 19, no. 4 (2000/2001): 10–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Id.Google Scholar
Dreher, K. L., “Health and Environmental Impact of Nanotechnology: Toxicological Assessment of Manufactured Nanoparticles,” Toxicological Sciences 77 (2004): 3–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Miller, J., “Student Notes, Beyond Biotechnology: FDA Regulation of Nanomedicine,” Columbia Science and Technology Law Review 4, no. 5 (April 23, 2003), also available at <http://www.stlr.org/cite.cgi?volume=4&article=5> (last visited August 28, 2006).Google Scholar
Rejeski, D., “Environmental and Safety Impacts of Nanotechnology: What Research is Needed?” Hearings before the House Committee on Science, 109th Congress, 1st Session (2005).Google Scholar
US Environmental Protection Agency, “DfE's Mission and Vision,” at <http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/about/mission.htm> (last visited August 28, 2006). (last visited August 28, 2006).' href=https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=US+Environmental+Protection+Agency,+“DfE's+Mission+and+Vision,”+at++(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar
Rached, T., Values and Data in a Boundary Object: The Treatment of Risk Assessments and Chemical Hazard Data in the Clean-Gredients Database (2006), unpublished masters thesis, on file with author.Google Scholar
Davies, J. C., “Managing the Effects of Nanotechnology,” A Non-Governmental Organization Report on Nanotechnology Regulation, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies website, at <http://www.nanotechproject.org/reports> (last visited August 28 2006).+(last+visited+August+28+2006).>Google Scholar
Future research into, and applications of, trading zones were discussed at a recent NSF-sponsored workshop held at the University of Arizona. See <http://bart.tcc.virginia.edu/Tradzone-workshop/> for details (last visited August 28, 2006).+for+details+(last+visited+August+28,+2006).>Google Scholar