NanoSafe features next steps in sustainable and responsible nanoinnovation

During the 7th International Nanosafevirtual conference, 16-23 November 2020, I gave two presentations on Reflecting on Ethical, Legal and Societal Aspects of Nanosafety. In an invited training for Nanosafety Clustermembers on 16 November, I demonstrated the ethical impact assessment screening tool and the risk-benefit tool developed in RiskGONE, and illustrated how they might be used by members of the upcoming Risk Governance Council for nanomaterials and other stakeholders, by applying the tools on three case studies analysed in open access articles in the Journal Nanoethics.

In an pre-recorded oral presentation, I addressed three ethical and societal issues which might be addressed by the upcoming Risk Governance Council: sustainability, responsible research and innovation and balancing precaution and innovation, and again explained the ethical impact assessment screening tool, inviting comments for making it more useful to members of the Risk Governance Council and other stakeholders.

Participants were concerned about the relevance of the selected ethical issues and stressed the need for engaging with all stakeholders in the evaluation of ethical issues. The comments will be used to improve the tools.