Today’s work on nanotechnology is evolutionary. Hundreds of companies and universities are engaged in this work. Governments around the world are pouring billions of dollars into such research. In term of investment amounts, the USA leads other countries by investing USD3.7 billion through its National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), followed by Japan with USD750 million and European Union with USD1.2 billion in investment (source: MIGHT Report, September 2006). Asia is now becoming the hottest spot of nano-business in the world, driven by the rapid growth of economy in the area.
Our economic growth today is being driven by the application of knowledge and ideas, rather than the production and trade of physical goods. For example, traditional polymers can be reinforced by nano-particles resulting in novel materials which can be used as lightweight replacements for metals. Enhanced materials properties will enable a weight reduction accompanied by an increase in mechanical, thermal stability and improved functionality.
As information, the world’s largest nanotechnology event, Nanotech 2012 will be held on 18-21 June 2012 at Santa Clara, California. Thousands of leading researchers, scientists, engineers and technology developers will participate in Nanotech 2012 to identify new technology trends, development tools, product opportunities, R&D collaborations, and commercialization partners.
Among the interesting area in nanotechnology being discussed are nano-particle, nan-ocomposites, polymer nan-ocomposites, cancer nano-technology and many more.
Globally, nano-technology will eventually impact every area of our world. The developments of nano-technology have come from outside the laboratory. Some of the observers such as policy analysts, advocacy groups, social scientists, and freelance futurists worry about the dangers that nano-technology might pose for human health or the natural environment. But others observers have different opinion in mind. They are trying to create a new academic discipline called “nano-ethics” to think through the societal, moral, and broader human implications of advances in nano-technology.
For instance, research studies suggest that some nano-particles are directly harmful to animals, and because they can be taken up by cells, they might enter our food chain to unknown effects on human health. Other research asks whether carbon nano-tubes will be the next asbestos, since both have the same whisker-like shape that makes it so difficult to purge from our lungs if inhaled. And the flip side of creating super-strong materials such as carbon nano-tubes is their fate at the end of a product life-cycle; will these materials persist indefinitely in our landfills, as is the case with styrofoam or nuclear waste?
So, nano-ethics seeks to examine the potential risks and rewards of applications of nano-technology. Nano-ethic is an ethics for technologies that converge at the nano-scale. Nano-ethics provides a philosophically and scientifically rigorous examination of ethical and societal considerations and policy concerns raised by nano-technology and uncertainties surrounding nano-technologies.
Basically, what issues are of concern in nano-ethicists? First, is the question of safety. Researchers still understand very little about the health and environmental effects of nano-particles. The second category of concern to nano-ethicists could, for the sake of convenience, be given the heading “social justice.” This category includes questions about equity, access, and socioeconomics. The third area of nano-ethical inquiry relates to vast and genuinely novel social changes that the development of nano-technology might wreck.
Recent study by Philip A. E. Brey on Anticipatory Ethics for Emerging Technologies (ATE;) dicussed on ethical issues at the Research & Development (R&D) and introduction stage of technology development through anticipation of possible future devices, applications, and social consequences. However, what more important here is about the relationship between technology and the good life, or well-being. Should the focus of technological research and development be on the individual or on the environment of that individual?
Nano-technology may never become as powerful and prolific as envisioned by its evangelists, but as with any potential near-horizon technology, we should formulate solutions to potential ethical issues before the technology is irreversibly adopted. We must examine the ethics of developing nano-technology and create policies designed to assist its development while eliminating, or at least minimizing, its damaging effects.
Musa Fuber in his paper ” Ethical Dimension of Nanotechnology” highlighted on religion and nano-technology research (Tabah Analytical Brief. No. 6. Nov 2008). There are several nano-technology specific issues for Muslims and Muslim jurist and theologians to consider. For example; What is the status of nano-technology with respect to theology say about a quantum, non-deterministic, universe? What is the legal ruling of manipulating matter at the nano-scale, in particular when it is assembled into configurations which do not otherwise exist in nature? How do the Syariah permission to harness the creation and its warning against tampering with God’s creation apply to nano-technology? Given the potential health and environmental dangers, and the fear that nano-technology will be used for weapons especially in light of the specificity, added capabilities and difficulty in tracing them, then to what extent will ‘blocking the means” apply and how do we weigh them in life of the potential benefits? Do nano-particles of natural substances have the same ruling as the non substance? For example, nano-particle gold takes on a different color, is it permissible for men and women to use and many more question arise.
From Islamic point of view, Islam encourages the use of science and the scientific method. Acquiring knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female. In Islam, science and technology should be used for moral ends and serve humanity’s legitimate needs, and be considered as yet another means to understand and see God’s Power and Glory.
However, for decades, Islamic countries spend little on research and development; less than 0.4 per cent of their gross national product compared to the global average of 2.36 per cent. Muslim nations need drastic changes in their approach to science and technology if they are to compete with the rest of the world. The Islamic world also needs to integrate itself with the international scientific community by participating in regional cooperative projects and establishing global scientific collaborations.