Author(s): A.P. Jayanthi, Koen Beumer, Madhulika Bhati, and Sujit Bhattacharya
A new report in Economic & Political Weekly analyzes the potential consequences of the application of nanotechnology in India, while specifically looking at the risk-related aspects of this emerging technology.
The authors address the following questions:
1) “What are the risks that nanotechnology may pose? 2) What does the Indian situation look like? 3) How can the risks of nanotechnology be adequately dealt with? 4) And, equally important, how can we avoid the, at times, unproductive controversies that have surrounded some of the mega-technologies in the past in order to cast a more fruitful and productive path for nanotechnology’s future?”
The article explores the institutional arrangements for “risk governance” of nanotechnology in other countries, in an effort to illustrate possible ways for risk governance to be made operational. The authors note that while more technologically advanced countries tend to accompany technology developments with governance arrangements that ensure the responsible development of such technologies, in India attention to risks is minimal.
They write: “Rather than explicitly taking broader societal concerns into consideration when promoting the development of a technology, it seems that any kind of measure to deal with potential adverse effects of new technologies is considered as inimical to market investment in technology sectors. By and large, the Indian state has shown a lack of anticipatory governance during the course of technology development.”
The report concludes that the regulatory framework in India at present is not able to deal with the multifaceted dimensions and implications of nanotechnology. An effective risk governance system is urgently required, they say, arguing that a separate agency, similar to the one established for biotechnology, be implemented in order to develop human resources and infrastructure, as well as research and monitor issues and concerns in the field. “Only by creating such a well-functioning governance structure,” they conclude, “can India make nanotechnology into a success."
The original article may still be available here
