The Challenges of Nanotechnology Regulation: Time to Move towards Global Regulations

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor University of Mazandaran

2 Master of International Law, Mazandaran University

Abstract

Although the goal of technology is to facilitate human life and increase the welfare, emerging technology has challenges that can have short-term or long-term destructive effects on human life and other creatures. The greater and more widespread these effects and dangers, the more tangible the need to regulate technology by international law in response to a common global concern will be.  Nanotechnology, as an emerging form of technology, has enabled human beings to manipulate and engineer materials in molecular and sub-molecular dimensions. It is one of the most important technologies with many known and unknown dangers which must be regulated by legal rules. The present study seeks to answer the fundamental question of why, despite the rapid progress and astonishing speed of nanotechnology transfer from laboratory research to production lines and the commercialization of related products, the process of regulating this technology in international law is challenging, and if there is a solution to overcome this challenge. The primary conclusion of this article is that due to the global dangers of nanomaterials and insufficient human knowledge about their novel properties on the one hand and the inadequacy of existing treaties to cover nanomaterials on the other hand, the regulation of this technology should be aimed at risk management and precautionary approach.

Keywords

References

  1. الف) فارسی

    - مقالات

    1. کوشا، ابوطالب و احمدی مریم، «چالش‌های حقوق مالکیت فکری فناوری نانو در حقوق بین‌الملل با نگاهی به موافقت نامه جنبه‌های تجاری حقوق مالکیت فکری»، فصلنامۀ دیدگاه‌های حقوق قضایی، ش 56 (1390).
    2. محمودی کردی، زهرا و زاهدی، مهدی، «حفاظت از سلامت در پرتو مقررات موافقت‌‌نامۀ اقدامات بهداشتی و بهداشت گیاهی»، مجله حقوق پزشکی، ش 39 (1395).
    3. مرکز مطالعات حقوق تکنولوژی، «پژوهش: درآمدی بر حقوق و فن‌آوری، حقوق دانش، فن‌آوری» ، مجلۀ وکالت، ش 11 (1381).
    4. نظام ملی تنظیم‌گری، دفتر مطالعات اقتصاد بخش عمومی مرکز پژوهش‌های مجلس، 1397.

    ب) انگلیسی

    - Books

    1. Ayres, Ian and John Braithwaite, Responsive Regulation: Transcending The Derehulation Debate, (Oxford University Press, 1st edition, 1992).
    2. Baldwin, Robert, Cave, Martin, and Lodge, Martin, Understanding Regulation: Theory, Strategy, and Practice, (New York: Oxford University Press,2nd Edition, 2012).
    3. Baldwin, Robert, Scott, Colin, and Christopher Hood, A Reader on Regulation, (Oxford University Press,1998).
    4. Bosso, Christopher, Governing uncertainty: environmental regulation in the age of nanotechnology, (Routledge; 1st edition, 2010).
    5. Bowman, Diana M, Stokes, Elen, Rip, Arie, Embedding New Technologies into Society: A Regulatory, Ethical and Societal Perspective, (Jenny Stanford Publishing; 1st edition, 2017).
    6. Braithwaite, John and Drahos, Peter, Global Business Regulation, (Cambridge University Press, 2000).
    7. Büthe, Tim, and Walter Mattli, The New Global Rulers: The Privatization of Regulation in the World Economy, (OXFORD: Princeton University Press, 2011).
    8. Fiorino, Daniel J, The New Environmental Regulation, (London: MIT Press, 2006).
    9. Feitshans, Ilise L, Global Health Impacts of Nanotechnology Law a Tool for Stakeholder Engagement, (Jenny Stanford Publishing; 1st edition, 2018).
    10. Harlow, Carol and Rawlings, Richard, Law and Administration, Cambridge University Press, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 3rd edition, 2009).
    11. Hull, Matthew S. And Bowman, Diana M, Nanotechnology Environmental Health and Safety Risks, Regulation, and Management, (Oxford, UK: Elsevier Inc, Second Edition, 2014).
    12. Lin, Albert C, Prometheus Reimagined: Technology, Environment, and Law in the Twenty-first Century, (University of Michigan Press; Reprint edition, 2013).
    13. Sands, Philippe, Peel, Jacqueline, With Adriana Fabra, Ruth MacKenzie Frontmatter, Principles of International Environmental Law, 4(2018).

    - Articles

    1. Abbott, Kenneth W. and Snidal, Duncan, “Strengthening International Regulation Through Transnational New Governance: Overcoming the Orchestration Deficit”, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, Vol .42, (2009).
    2. Abbott, Kenneth W. and Snidal, Duncan, “The Governance Triangle: Regulatory Standards Institutions and the Shadow of the State, in the politics of Global Regulation”, Walter Mattli and Ngaire Woods, The Politics of Global Regulation, (Princeton University Press, 2009).
    3. Aitken, Robert J., Peters,Sheona A.K., Alan D. Jones and Vicki Stone, “Regulation of Carbon Nanotubes and Other High Aspect Ratio Nanoparticles: Approaching this Challenge from the Perspective of A”bestos”, Graeme A. Hodge, Diana M. Bowman, Andrew D. Maynard, International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies, (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010).
    4. Bayda, Samer, Adeel, Muhammad, Tuccinardi, Tiziano, Cordani, Marco and Rizzolio, Flavio, “the History of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: From Chemical–Physical Applications to Nanomedicine”, Molecules, 25, issue1, (2019).
    5. Balogh, Lajos, Nigavekar, Shraddha S, Nair, Bindu M, Lesniak, Wojciech, Zhang, Chunxin, Yun Sung, Lok, Kariapper, Muhammed S T, El-Jawahri, Areej, Llanes, Mikel, Bolton, Brian, Mamou, Fatema, Tan, Wei, Hutson, Alan, Minc, Leah, Khan, Mohamed K, “Significant Effect of Size on the in vivo Biodistribution of Gold Composite Nanodevices in Mouse Tumor Models”, Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, 3(4), (2007).
    6. Choi, Hak Soo, Liu, Wenhao, Misra, Preeti, Tanaka, Eiichi, Zimmer, John P, Ipe, Binil Itty, Bawendi, Moungi G & Frangioni, John V, “Renal clearance of quantum dots”, Nature Biotechnology, 25, (2007).
    7. Chithrani, B Devika, Chan, Warren C W, “Elucidating the Mechanism of Cellular Uptake and Removal of Protein-Coated Gold Nanoparticles of Different Sizes and Shapes”, Nano Lett,7, issue.6, (2007).
    8. Demissie, Teshome, “Taming Matter for the Welfare of Humanity: Regulating Nanotechnology,”, Roger Brownsword, Karen Yeung, Regulating Technologies Legal Futures, Regulatory Frames and Technological Fixes, (Portland: Hart Publishing, 2008).
    9. Expert Panel on Nanotechnology “Small is different: a science perspective on the regulatory challenges of the nanoscale”, THE COUNCIL OF CANADIAN ACADEMIES, 180 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON Canada (2008).
    10. Falkner Robert and Nico Jaspers, “Regulating nanotechnologies: risk, uncertainty and the global governance gap”, Global environmental politics, Vol. 12, (2012).
    11. Aslani, Farzad, Bagheri, Samira, Nurhidayatullaili Muhd Julkapli, Abdul Shukor Juraimi, Golestan Hashemi, Farahnaz Sadat, Baghdadi, Ali,” Effects of engineered nanomaterials on plants growth: an overview”, Scientific World Journal, (2014).
    12. Graff, Laurence, 2002. “The Precautionary Principle”, Christoph Bail, Robert Falkner and Helen Marquard, The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: Reconciling Trade in Biotechnology with Environment and Development? (London, Routledge, 2002).
    13. Hendren, Christine Ogilvie, Mesnard, Xavier, Dröge, Jocelyn, and Mark R. Wiesner, “Estimating Production Data for Five Engineered Nanomaterials as a Basis for Exposure Assessment”, Environmental Science & Technology, 45(7), (2011).
    14. Karcher, Sandra, Willighagen, Egon L., Rumble, John, Ehrhart, Friederike, Chris T, Evelo, Martin, Frittse, Sharon, Gaheene, Stacey L., Harper, Mark, Hoover, Nina, Jeliazkova, Nastassja, Lewinski, Richard L. Marchese, Robinson, Karmann C. Mills, Axel P. Mustadm, Dennis G. Thomasn, Georgia, Tsiliki, Christine, Ogilvie, Hendren,” Integration among databases and data sets to support productive nanotechnology: Challenges and recommendations”, Nano Impact, Vol. 9, (2018).
    15. Karim, Md. Munir, Abu. Mohd Yasin, Siti Hajar and Muhammad-Sukki, Firdaus. “Nanotechnology within the Legal and Regulatory Framework: An Introductory Overview” Malayan Law Journal, 3, (2014).
    16. Kristen, Kulinowski, M and Matthew, jaffe “The GoodNanoGuide: A Novel Approach for Developing Good Practices for Handling Engineered nanomaterials in an Occupational Setting”, L. & Bus. 37, (2009).
    17. Kanika, Sharma and Chugh, Archana, “Legal Aspects of Nano biotechnology Inventions: An Indian Perspective”, Scripted, Vol. 6, issue. 2, (2009).
    18. Lavestam, G, Rauscher, H, Roebben, G, KlÃttgen, B S, Gibson, N, Putaud, J-P, & Stamm, H, “Considerations on a definition of nanomaterial for regulatory purposes”. Joint Research Centre (JRC) Reference Reports (2010).
    19. Marchanta, Gary E.,” Soft Law’ mechanisms for nanotechnology: liability and insurance drivers”, Journal of Risk Research, Vol. 17, (2014).
    20. Marchant, Gary E., Sylvester, Douglas J. & Abbott, Kenneth W., “Risk Management Principles for Nanotechnology”, Nano Ethics, volume 2, (2008).
    21. Marchant Gary E., Sylvester Douglas J., “Transnational Models for Regulation of Nanotechnology,”, Journal of Law MED. & ETHICS, 34(4), (2006).
    22. Marchant, Gary E., Sylvester, Douglas J., Abbott, Kenneth W.” Nanotechnology Regulation: The United States Approach”, Graeme A. Hodge, Diana M. Bowman, Karinne Ludlow, NEW GLOBAL FRONTIERS IN REGULATION: THE AGE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY, (Cheltenham, Edward Elgar, 2007).
    23. Mei, Nan, Zhang, Yongbin, Chen, Ying, Guo, Xiaoqing, Ding, Wei, Syed F Ali, Alexandru S Biris, Penelope Rice, Martha M Moore, Tao Chen, “Silver nanoparticle-induced mutations and oxidative stress in mouse lymphoma cells”, environmental molecular mutagenesis journal , 53(6), 2012.
    24. Michelson, Evan S “Globalization at the nano frontier: The future of nanotechnology policy in the United States, China, and India”, Technology in Society, Vol. 30, Issues. 3–4, (2008).
    25. Miranda, Luiz Ricardo and Tomás Olcese,” The Notion of Regulation in International Law”, Latin American Journal of Trade Policy 4, (2019).
    26. Park, Hyung-Geun & Yeo, Min-Kyeong, “Nanomaterial regulatory policy for human health and environment”, Molecular & Cellular Toxicology, Vol. 12, (2016).
    27. Reins, Leonie, “Regulating New Technologies in Uncertain Times—Challenges and Opportunities”, Leonie Reins, Regulating New Technologies in Uncertain Times, (The Netherlands. Asser Press; 1st ed, 2019).
    28. Renn, Ortwin “Concepts of risk: a classification”, OPUS - Publication Server of the University of Stuttgart, (1992).
    29. Snir, Reut “Trends in Global Nanotechnology Regulation: The Public-Private Interplay”, Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law, Vol. 17 (2014).
    30. Sandler, R, “Nanotechnology: The Social and Ethical Issues, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies”, Woodrow Wilson Centre. (2009).
    31. Vincent R. Johnson, “Nanotechnology, Environmental Risks, and Regulatory Options”, Penn State Law Review, vol. 121, (2016).
    32. Wiener, Jonathan B., “Precaution”, Daniel Bodansky, Jutta Brunnée and Ellen Hey, The Oxford Handbook of International Environmental Law, (Oxford University Press, 2207).
    33. Zumbansen, Peer, “Neither ‘Public’Nor ‘Private’, ‘National’ Nor ‘International’: Transnational Corporate Governance from a Legal Pluralist Perspective”, Journal of Law and Society, Vol. 38, No. 1, (2011).

    - Documents

    1. Breggin, Linda, Falkner, Robert, Jaspers, Nico, Pendergrass, John and Porter, Read, Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies: Towards Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation. Report. Chatham House, (2009).
    2. Baucher, Marie-Ange and Scott, Richard and Cannizzaro, Chris and Standridge, Stacey and Nesbitt, Elizabeth and Fadel, Tarek, Baucher, Marie-Ange and Scott, Richard and Cannizzaro, Chris and Standridge, Stacey and Nesbitt, Elizabeth and Fadel, Tarek, Symposium on Assessing the Economic Impact of Nanotechnology: Synthesis Report (2013).
    3. Davies, Clarence, Oversight of Next Generation Nanotechnology. PEN 18., Washington, DC: Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (2009).
    4. The Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering (2004).
    5. European Commission, Commission Recommendation on a Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies Research COM (2008) 424 final.
    6. ICON GoodNanoGuide, (2010) available at: http://goodnanoguide.org/tiki-index.php?page=Home.
    7. Publications Office of the European Union, “Science for Environment Policy The precautionary principle: decision-making under uncertaint”, EU publications, University of the West of England, (2017)
    8. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety,
Jurisprudence and Islamic Law
Volume 13, Issue 26
March 2022
Pages 183-212

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics