The social responsibility of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: an integral approach

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology Vol. 15; no. 4; p. 1
• Main Authors: Caballero-Díaz, Encarnación, Simonet, Bartolomé M., Valcárcel, Miguel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.04.2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Environmental impact; Exact sciences and technology; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Materials Science; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoparticles; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Review; Social responsibility; Integral model; Corporate social responsibility; Nanoscience and nanotechnology; Stakeholders; Social responsibility; Social and environmental impacts; Nanoparticles; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Implementation; Nanotechnology
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-013-1534-4

The concept of social responsibility provides the ideal framework for raising awareness and arousing reflection on the social and environmental impact of nanoparticles in the range of 1–100 nm generated from research activities in nanoscience and production-related activities in nanotechnology. The model proposed here relates the essential aspects of these concepts by connecting the classical sequence Research–Development–Innovation (R&D&I) to nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N) and social responsibility (SR). This paper identifies the stakeholders of the process and provides an extensive definition of Social Responsibility and related concepts. In addition, it describes the internal and external connotations of the implementation of SR at research centers and nanotechnological industries, and discusses the social implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology with provision for subjects such as nanoethics, nanotoxicity, and nanomedicine, which have emerged from the widespread use of nanomaterials by today’s society.