Abstract
Progress towards harnessing and utilising the unique properties of current generation nanomaterials in new commercial and industrial applications is developing across a broad range of areas. Despite the massive expectations of nanotechnologies and growth in its application, there is a widespread belief that the hopes of this emerging technology will only fully materialise if its development takes place responsibly. The extensive development of nanotechnologies and nano-enabled products has been accompanied by considerable concern regarding the possible risks for the environment, health and safety (EHS) and broader ethical, legal and social issues (ELSIs) associated with its application and use (or misuse). Research conducted to date has shown the potential risks of nanotechnologies to be associated with a high degree of complexity and uncertainty, with no clear-cut cause-and-effect relationships. As such, understanding and managing the EHS and ELSI implications of this emerging technology is considered to represent a global and trans-boundary task and may require a novel multidimensional approach to risk assessment and risk management within a governance framework.
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Hankin, S.M., Read, S.A.K. (2016). Governance of Nanotechnology: Context, Principles and Challenges. In: Murphy, F., McAlea, E., Mullins, M. (eds) Managing Risk in Nanotechnology. Innovation, Technology, and Knowledge Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32392-3_3
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