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Visions of Brazilian Scientists on Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies

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Abstract

This article examines the visions on nanosciences and nanotechnologies (N&N) disseminated by a group of Brazilian scientists to legitimize this emergent field of research. For this purpose we analyzed reports on N&N published by the Journal of Science, edited daily by the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science, from 2002 to 2007, covering the period in which the main events in domestic N&N research policy took place. Our analysis shows that researchers on N&N are spreading visions of progress, efficiency and competitiveness related to the advances in this field, giving little attention to issues such as potential risks, and economic, social and ethical implications of these technologies.

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Notes

  1. In that year, President Clinton launched the National Nanotechnology Initiative, soon followed by N&N programs in other developed countries.

  2. “Human enhancement” is the increase of cognitive and physical human capacities for work, heightening senses and prolonging of life through nanotechnological devices combined with other technologies, integrated with the organism.

  3. The European Commission, for instance, encourages debates among European countries on the benefits and risks (both real and perceived) of nanotechnologies and their implications for society. Several experiments have been funded by the Framework Programs, such as Nanologues and Nanodialogues [3]. The United States National Nanotechnology Initiative includes research on the implications of nanotechnology for society, grouped into two categories: environmental health and safety, and societal dimensions [25].

  4. The Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science is a civilian institution founded in 1948 to contribute to scientific and technological, educational and cultural development in Brazil, “taking a stance in matters pertaining to scientific policy and scientific and technological development programs that are in the real interests of the country” (http://www.sbpcnet.org.br/site/conheca/mostra.php?cod=473).

  5. The Jornal da Ciência is also distributed in printed form every 2weeks and distributed to active members of the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science. See http://www.jornaldaciencia.org.br/index2.jsp

  6. These four networks worked until October 2005, but from a new call of the CNPq 10 new networks were created, all of them connected to the Brazil Nano Program.

  7. This project is, again, a proposal from Cylon Goncalves da Silva, who is returning with a high position to the MCT.

  8. The Sectorial Funds were created in 1999 with the objective of articulating the research demands of specific productive sectors such as petroleum, energy, hydraulic resources, mineral resources, transportation, information technology, health, aeronautics, agriculture, biotechnology and telecommunications.

  9. The more radical visions of nanotechnology, such as that of Eric Drexler [5], foresee possible production by way of molecular machines capable of replicating themselves. He warned about the possibility of these machines breaking away from human control, leading to a “gray goo” which would contaminate the planet.

  10. The resources allocated to S&T account for 0.98% of GDP, although the Lula government had originally proposed to double this level of investment.

  11. The Innovation Law, approved in December 2004, focus on mechanisms to bridge the scarce relationship between research institutions and the productive sector in Brazil.

  12. I make this statement merely as an avid reader of the JC, without any accurate figures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

    Noela Invernizzi

  2. Rua Sete de Setembro 357, ap 2, Alto da XV, Curitiba, PR, Brasil, 80050-100

    Noela Invernizzi

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  1. Noela Invernizzi
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Correspondence to Noela Invernizzi.

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This paper is part of the research project entitled Debates and Visions on Nanotechnology: an Analysis of their Influence on Research Policy and Public Information, financed by the Araucária Foundation, agreement number 038/2007, protocol 8662.

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Invernizzi, N. Visions of Brazilian Scientists on Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies. Nanoethics 2, 133–148 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11569-008-0042-y

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