Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
to higher education and research jobs. Industrial uptake of nano-
technology is expected to lead to a need for skilled labor force of
2 million workers worldwide by 2015 (Roco 2002). People in develop-
ing countries, but also deprived people from poor families, women,
and minorities need special support measures to be able to compete
on this highly skilled labor market and to be able to contribute to the
socioeconomic development of their country.
6.
Target research to poverty and health-related problems:
The global com-
munity, national governments, and all research institutions and indi-
vidual researchers should target a substantial part of their research
to poverty and health-related problems. It is not clear how much
money is actually being invested in nanoresearch toward those
aims.
7.
Environmental sustainability:
Apart from social development, envi-
ronmental sustainability should also be a condition for interna-
tional cooperation in ST&I. This principle is not explicitly included
in Nussbaum's principles for an international capabilities approach.
Nevertheless, it is an important prerequisite for sustainable nano-
technology development. Environment, health, and safety risks, and
potential environmental benefits of nanotechnology are key issues
in the current international debate on nanotechnology. Nussbaum's
approach includes two relevant capabilities: “other species” and
“control over one's environment.”
13.3.2 Why Can These Criteria Contribute to Fairness
in Nanotechnology Development?
The capability approach is a result oriented political theory on basic rights.
Policies stimulating international cooperation in (nano) ST&I are not inte-
grated with policies for stimulating international solidarity. This limits the
chances that nanotechnology may contribute to sustainable development.
Nussbaum's principles for a just global structure are intended to evaluate
and direct policies of international organizations, governments, companies,
and NGOs for building capacities for development in developing countries.
The role of ST&I policies is not explicitly included in her approach. However,
the present set of principles for sustainable (nano)technology development
can be considered an adaptation of Nussbaum's principles to a specific case,
just like she has done for people in developing countries, disabled persons,
women, and nonhuman animals (Nussbaum 2006).
The principles for sustainable (nano)technology development can be used
to analyze factors influencing the chances that poor people in developing
countries may benefit from nanotechnology development. The scheme is
thus more an evaluative framework for assessing policies than a normative
framework determining morally sound policy aims. The motivation why
