LAW AND ETHICS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY SAFETY AND HEALTH IN FOOD NANOTEXNOLOGY
2023 CONFERENCE WORKSHOP, UNIVERSITY OF ARISTOTLE, GREECE JULY 6 2023
Abstract
Dedicating a science conference workshop for the first time to the
non-science topic of Law and Ethics represents an important recognition
by science researchers of their need to learn about and participate as
stakeholders in nanotechnology law. This pathbreaking workshop at
Nanotexnology 2023 addressed food raising questions about consumer
protection, workplace safety and health, and the need for harmonization
regarding conflicts of laws as nanoscale materials in food are governed
under different regulatory systems in the USA, EU and internationally.
In so doing this Inaugural Special Session about Law and Ethics of
Nanotechnology at Nanotexnology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in
Greeceit represents a nod to the crosscutting law and ethics issues that
have historically not been as highly valued by the scientific community
as the more direct science issues. Our pioneering Workshop, derived from
questions posed by research scientists and entrepreneurs themselves,
tried to answer from a perspective of law and ethicsthe question:
How can benefits of nanotechnology be responsible
developed while minimizing risks to workers’ safety, health and
well-being? Food touches every human and every other species in the
world throughout daily life. Food is therefore the subject of extensive
regulation nationally, internationally across trade agreements and under
some religious law too. Nanotechnology has been applied to food since
the early 21st century with attendant implications for food quality,
quantity and distribution. Civil society therefore must maximize the
benefits of nanotechnology as applied to food while minimizing the risks
to individuals and global health. This small area of interface between
these three disciplinary realms ultimately impacts consumers,
environmental well being, global health, medical impacts of nutrition
from food, and food supply. The results of these deliberations conclude
that harmonization of law and outreach to the public is essential to
operationalizing nanotechnology goals.