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Navigating Risk in Nanobiotechnology Research: An Ec-US Task Force Perspective

Explore the complexities of risk perception in nanobiotechnology through the lens of religion, belief systems, and strategic considerations. This study, led by David M. Berube, delves into the societal constructs surrounding risk assessment, public perception, and ethical implications associated with nanobiotechnology. Gain insights into the intersection of science, religion, and public communication regarding this cutting-edge field. Discover the fallacies, axiologies, and examples that shape the discourse on nanobiotechnology in the USA, and understand the strategic considerations for fostering cooperation and ethical practices. Join the conversation on shaping a new risk regime that embraces consensuality, stakeholding, and religious arguments to address the challenges and opportunities in nanobiotechnology research.

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Navigating Risk in Nanobiotechnology Research: An Ec-US Task Force Perspective

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  1. BREAKING THE CARBON BARRIER: RELIGION & RISK REGIMES EC-US Task Force on Biotechnology Research Nanobiotechnology Workshop Ispra, Italy June 3, 2008 David M. Berube Co-ord, PCOST – Public Communication of Science and Technology North Carolina State University USA

  2. PRINCIPLES • Risk is a social construct. • Experts/publics differ on ranking risks. • Risks are attenuated/amplified by third parties, including NGOs and the media. • Trust is always a factor in communicating risk.

  3. NANOBIO • To the public, biotechnology remains an unknown. Nanotechnology is equally obtuse. Nanobiotechnology seems simply a made-up word. • Examples. • Medicine and health care • Environmental remediation. • Agricultural productivity. • Human enhancement.

  4. FALLACIES & AXIOLOGIES • Fallacies • Ecological fallacy (naturalness). • Future generation fallacy. • Axiologies • Webs of value constructs. • Anecdotes, stories & epiphanies. • Beliefs.

  5. RELIGION, BELIEF & NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY • Nanomedicine and nanobiology. • Fear of death • Coat-tails phenomenon. • Fundamental principles. • Humanity and godliness. • Nature/unnaturalness & dominion. • Dehumanization.

  6. EXAMPLES from USA • Examples (non-rational systems). • Abortion. • Embryonic stem cell research. • Gay marriage. • Implications • Lopsided debate; no middle ground. • Beliefs and dogma as warrants. • Accommodation and compromise are sinful.

  7. PUBLIC RISK PERCEPTION • Deep and emotional; confronting dispositional or eliminativism. • Belief and the heresiarch, science in the role of Arius and King Henry VIII. • Scientists as endoheretics (Asimov). • a non-crackpot or charlatan. • Religion becomes grounds for warrants as well as an amplifier.

  8. STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS • Denial = heresy. • Scientific mission and can/should conundrum. • Recasting the role of science. • Proselytizing/conversion as a rhetorical tactic.

  9. NEW RISK REGIME • Consensuality and stakeholding; opening the debate for religious arguments. • Threshold free and slippery slopes; most belief driven arguments are totalistic. • Politics of belief; learn from the right wing conservatives.

  10. EC-US COOPERATION • Draft a statement on the ethics of nanobiotechnology. • Track discoveries – proof of concepts and product lines. • Share data sets associated with nanobiotechnology. • Design an appropriate risk regime.

  11. This work was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, NSF 06-538 Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE): Nanoscience and Technology Studies Cognate, and NSF 06-595, Nanotechnology Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT): Intuitive Toxicology and Public Engagement. THANKSdmberube@ncsu.edu

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