how to do geoethical nanotechnology
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This presentation proposes the formation of an organization to help balanceTRANSCRIPT
Martine RothblattTerasem Movement, Inc.
2012 July 20
Geoethical Rules for Nanotechnological Advances
Nanotechnological Advances
• Manufacturing at Sub-Micron Sizes
• Self-Replicating Sub-Micron Machines
• Biotechnological Medicines
• Synthetic Genomics• Molecular Computing
Geoethical Rules
• Principle of Consent– Obtain prior terms of
consent from such others, or their representatives, who may foreseeably be materially and adversely affected by one’s life science actions.
• Principle of Compliance– Act pursuant to the
Principle of Consent strictly in accordance with independent assurance of one’s compliance with.
Cultural Universality of Geoethics
• Fundamental Fairness, or Equal Protection
• Evolutionary Tendency Toward Categorization
• Nature of Consciousness• Darwinian Group
Selection– Sir Francis Bacon: “If we
do not maintain Justice, then Justice will not maintain us”
Beyond the Borders of Bioethics
• Autonomy– Who do we ask?
• Beneficence– Good for whom?
• Non-Malfeasance– Avoid harm to whom?
• Justice– Fair to whom?
Practicality of Geoethics: Consent
• Scientific Determination of who may be “materially and adversely affected”
• Legal Determination of Adequacy of Representative Consent
• Very Proactionary, Without Forsaking Precaution
Practicality of Geoethics: Compliance
• Legal Determination of “Independent Assurance” with Terms of Consent
• Transparency• Lack of Conflicts• Demonstrated
Expertise
Bioethics is a Subset of Geoethics
Geoethics
Why Wasn’t Informed Consent Enough for Bioethics if Enough for Geoethics?
• Bioethics Obtains Consent from Individuals, Who Are Weak & Unable to Negotiate Terms
• Requirements for Beneficence and Non-Malfeasance Helped Make Up for Weak Individual Autonomy
• Geoethics Obtains Consent from Populations, Not Individuals, Providing Negotiating Strength
• Aspects of Beneficence and Non-Malfeasance Will Be Taken Into Account in Granting Geoethical Consent
Society for Accelerating Geoethical Advances in Nanotechnology
(SAGAN)• Formed by Treaty And
Scientific Peer Pressure• Actions Involving
Nanotech Must First Be Cleared by SAGAN
• SAGAN Must Decide Within 100 Days if Proposed Nanotech “May Forseeably Materially & Adversely Affect Others”
SAGAN Governing Procedures• If No Scientific Evidence
of Forseeable Material & Adverse Harm, Then SAGAN Must Authorize Proposed Nanotech Per Proactionary Principle of Max More
• If Such Harm Is Foreseeable, SAGAN Must Seek Prior Consent of Affected Populations Via Their Representatives
SAGAN Consent Procedures• National Processes, If
Consistent with Respect for Autonomy
• Public Opinion Surveys if Consistent with Informed Consent
• Majority Is Good Enough Because Democracy Accepts That for Other Risks
• If Consent Cannot Be Obtained, Then the Nanotech Cannot Cause Risk in that Geography
SAGAN Compliance Procedures• Effector of Nanotech
Must Provide Independent Funding of Means of Compliance with Terms of Consent
• Endowment or User Fees• Compliance Organization
Must Have Authority to Terminate Nanotech Operations if Consent Violated
• Change the Geography of the Nanotech– Outer Space– Seasteading
• Change the Risk Profile of the Nanotech
• Agree to Stricter Terms of Consent for the Nanotech
Alternatives for Nanotech Unable to Meet Geoethical Rules