What are the ethical concerns surrounding nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology raises a host of ethical questions. One of the most pressing concerns is the potential for dual-use applications, where technologies developed for beneficial purposes could also be used for harmful activities, such as bioterrorism. Another ethical issue is the potential for inequitable access to nanotechnology. Advanced nanotechnological applications could exacerbate existing social inequalities if they are only accessible to wealthy individuals or nations. Additionally, there are concerns about privacy and surveillance, as nanoscale devices could be used in monitoring without consent.
