Embedding Ethical Impact Assessment in Nanosafety Decision Support

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a key enabling technology, which is developing fast and influences many aspects of life. Nanomaterials are already included in a broad range of products and industrial sectors. Nanosafety issues are still a matter of concern for policy makers and stakeholders, but currently, there is no platform where all stakeholders can meet and discuss these issues. A comprehensive overview of all the issues in one single dashboard presenting the output of a decision support system is also lacking. This article outlines a strategy for developing one innovative part of a modular decision support system, designed to support the work of a new Risk Governance Council (RGC) for nanomaterials which will be established through the combined efforts of the GOV4NANO, NANORIGO, and RiskGONE H2020 projects. This new module will consist of guidelines for Ethical Impact Assessment (EIA) for nanomaterials and nanoenabled products. This article offers recommendations for adapting the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) prestandard on Ethical Impact Assessment CWA (CEN Workshop Agreement) 17145‐2:2017 (E), to fit into the more‐encompassing decision support system for risk governance of nanomaterials within the RiskGONE project.

The utilization of nanotechnology in the female reproductive system and related disorders

“…Notable examples include the World Health Organization (WHO), which has developed guidelines for assessing the health risks associated with nanomaterials [ 152 ], and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which has established a series of standards addressing nanotechnology safety [ 153 ]. Extensive research has been conducted by independent research institutions and academic scholars to evaluate the potential risks of nanomaterials and to devise guidelines for their secure application [ [154] , [155] , [156] , [157] ]. These research outcomes furnish scientific evidence regarding the safety of nanotechnology.…”

Ethics of Nanomedicine

“…Which ethical issues does nanomedicine raise? A screening of expected ethical impacts of nanomedicine was performed, guided by the online Ethical Impact Assessment tools developed and tested in RiskGONE 1 [2,3]. These are based on the CEN Workshop Agreement 17145-2:2017 (E) [4]).…”

Conversational AI Tools for Environmental Topics: A Comparative Analysis of Different Tools and Languages for Microplastics, Tire Wear Particles, Engineered Nanoparticles and Advanced Materials

“…It covered several points from an international risk governance point of view that have been discussed for many years, such as risk analysis, risk management, risk communication (and transparency), international collaboration, and using flexible and adaptable approaches integrating several stakeholders [43,44]. Moreover, it added the importance of responsible and innovative research models while developing safe and ethical technologies [45,46]. Even the term "sustainable development" appeared, which has been integrated in the latest work of some European projects focusing on the implementation of decision-making tools in a risk governance context [47].…”