Application of Nanotechnology in Water Research

Chapter 1

Nanotechnology and Water: Ethical and Regulatory Considerations

Jillian Gardner* and Ames Dhai

Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

*Corresponding author: [e-mail]

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of what constitutes ethical and lawful conduct in the application of nanotechnology in the context of water in South Africa. It initially focuses on the ethical issues raised by the application of nanotechnology to water. Reasons are given for the significance of water-related nanotechnology and the benefits and risks of the technology are discussed. An outline of national and international nanotechnology regulatory documents and their application to water nanotechnology is presented along with a discussion of the complexities regarding the establishment of regulations and laws concerning nanoscience and nanotechnologies. The assistance of soft laws in the context of regulatory vacuums is highlighted. Differing perspectives of research involving people as research subjects in the context of nanotechnology and water are discussed.

Keywords: Ethics, regulation, nanotechnology, water

1.1 Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of what constitutes ethical and lawful conduct in the application of nanotechnology in the context of water in South Africa. The chapter initially focuses on the ethical issues raised by the application of nanotechnology to water. Reasons are ...