Is Nanotechnology Giving Rise to New Ethical Problems?

Abstract In this paper I focus on the question of whether
nanotechnology is giving rise to new ethical problems
rather than merely to new instances of old ethical problems.
Firstly, I demonstrate how important it is to make a
general distinction between new ethical problems and
new instances of old problems. Secondly, I propose one
possible way of interpreting the distinction and offer a
definition of a “new ethical problem”. Thirdly, I examine
whether there is good reason to claim that nanotechnology
is giving or will give rise to new ethical problems.
My conclusion is that there are no new ethical
problems in nanotechnology but merely new occurrences
of certain well-known types of ethical problems.
Fourthly, I consider three arguments by van de Poel
(NanoEthics 2:25–28, 2008) which contradict my conclusion.
I argue that my negative conclusion is consistent
with the claim that certain ethical issues arising in
nanotechnology may require new normative standards
or new analytical tools. I conclude that it is likely that a
number of ethical issues arising in nanotechnology will
have a considerable impact on our ethical theories and
values – and that ethical reflection on nanotechnology
will be one of the mother lodes of future ethical research
– in spite of the fact that no ethical problem in
nanoethics will actually be “new”.