Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
• Energy infrastructure: rational use of energy
• Prevention and attention for health
Only under “competitiveness of industry and modernization of its produc-
tion methods” is the contribution expected from nanotechnology explicitly
specified, “Nanotechnology; Development and Application of Micro and
Nanodevices” (SECyT 2005).
Responsible nanotechnology development is an explicit aim of the
Argentinean government. The minister for ST&I, Dr. Lino Barañao, is address-
ing these issues personally. The National Committee on Ethics of Science
and Technology (CECTE 2008) is developing a code of conduct for respon-
sible nanotechnology research, inspired by the European Commission code
of conduct (EC 2008), and organized an international conference on this in
2008.
According to patent analysis by CAICyT (2008), Argentinean nanotech-
nology appears to be biased toward nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology
(9 out of 11 patents).
1.
Public engagement:
Public engagement with decision making on nano-
technology in Argentina appears to be relatively extensive compared
with what is known about other Latin American countries. In June
and July 2005, the government organized the above-mentioned pub-
lic consultation on prospective bases for a strategic medium term
plan in ST&I, to which citizens were also invited to participate. In
2005, a presidential decree installing the Argentinean Foundation
for Nanotechnology (FAN) with an investment of US$10 million
and investment of US defense funding bodies in nanotechnology
research in Argentina gave rise to heated debate in the congress,
the Argentinean Physics Association, the Committee for Ethics in
Science and Technology (CECTE), and in the media.
Whether this apparent openness actually gives different stake-
holders influence on decision making on nanoresearch is contested
by some nanoscientists in personal communication. There are com-
plaints about corruption on public investments in research. In the
International Property Rights Index 2009, Argentina scores 4.3 out of
10, and ranks 80th out of 115 countries in the world and 12th out of 20
Latin American countries. This index consists of criteria measuring
the legal and political environment (including corruption and politi-
cal stability), physical and intellectual property rights, and gender
e q u a l it y.*
According to Transparency International (2009), Argentineans
considered their country's public and private institutions to be more
*
See http://www.internationalpropertyrightsindex.org/.
