NIRT: Evaluating Oversight Models for Active Nanostructures and Nanosystems: Learning from Past Technologies in a Societal Context

NIRT：评估活性纳米结构和纳米系统的监督模型：在社会背景下学习过去的技术

• 批准号: 0608791
• 负责人: Susan Wolf
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-09-01 至 2011-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0608791&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: NIRT; Evaluating; Oversight; Models; Active

This Nanostructure Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) award is in response to the Active Nanostructure and Nanosytems (ANN) solicitation (NSF 05-610) and the theme of Societal and Educational Issues Associated with Long-Term Nanoscale Science and Engineering Advances. Nanotechnology applications designed for use in biological systems or in which nanomaterials are derived from biological molecules (including biomimetic nanostructured interfaces) are increasing. These applications hold great promise, yet rigorous analysis of models for nanotechnology oversight is lacking. Government agencies, researchers, and industry are actively struggling with the question of what oversight schemes are appropriate for different sorts of nanotechnology. This project identifies key issues to address in developing oversight for nanotechnology by assessing 6 historical oversight models: for drugs, devices, gene transfer, genetically engineered organisms in the food supply, chemicals in the workplace, and chemicals in the environment. The project brings together a multidisciplinary group of Investigators and Senior Personnel from the University of Minnesota, with strengths in nanotechnology research and development, public policy, law, health, environment, economics, and bioethics and will involve outside collaborators representing a range of perspectives. The project team will integrate methods of analysis and criteria for assessment to evaluate these oversight models using a historical and comparative approach and will integrate findings to glean lessons for emerging applications of nanotechnology. This project will proceed in 3 phases: (1) evaluation of 6 historical oversight models by (a) collecting the literature, (b) developing assessment criteria, (c) applying the criteria, and (d) comparing the development, attributes, and outcomes of the 6 models; (2) mapping the models onto nanotechnology to achieve Working Group consensus on workable oversight models for nanotechnology; and (3) refining the recommendations on oversight for nanoproducts through scenario analysis examining how the recommendations would apply to specific nanoproducts, invited feedback, and public presentation of the recommendations. The project team will provide fresh thinking on oversight assessment, blending theory, methods, and ideas from legal, bioethics, and public policy approaches to offer guidance to policymakers, decisionmakers, researchers, industry, patients, research subjects, consumers, and the public. This project will provide the first integrative assessment of oversight models of 6 key technologies germane to nanotechnology. Products of this project will include (1) publication of individually authored papers analyzing the 6 historical oversight models; (2) publication of comparative work examining oversight models across the 6 models; (3) publication of a group-authored consensus paper on lessons for nanotechnology oversight; (4) wide dissemination of policy analysis and normative oversight recommendations through hard-copy and rich web-based resources; (5) a public conference hosted at the University of Minnesota to present papers and seek public feedback; and (6) presentation of project work by Investigators at outside conferences. The products will advance discussion of oversight mechanisms for nanotechnology, proactively identifying concerns and issues. The project and its products will be of interest to researchers, scientists, federal agencies, corporate stakeholders, lawyers, academics, judges, legislators, policymakers, and the general public. The project will provide opportunities for graduate and professional students to interact with the project team, undertake research, attend group meetings, and participate in targeted workshops. A workshop series will be developed as a course option for both undergraduates and graduate students within the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, with cross-registration from the Law School and other programs. The PIs will also endeavor to link this project with science education needs in the K-12 community.

这个纳米结构跨学科研究团队（NIRT）奖是为了响应主动纳米结构和纳米系统（ANN）征集（NSF 05-610）和与长期纳米科学和工程进展相关的社会和教育问题的主题。 设计用于生物系统或其中纳米材料源自生物分子（包括仿生纳米结构界面）的纳米技术应用正在增加。这些应用前景广阔，但缺乏对纳米技术监督模型的严格分析。政府机构、研究人员和工业界都在积极努力解决什么样的监督计划适合不同种类的纳米技术的问题。该项目通过评估6种历史监督模式，确定了在发展纳米技术监督方面要解决的关键问题：药物，设备，基因转移，食品供应中的转基因生物，工作场所中的化学品和环境中的化学品。该项目汇集了来自明尼苏达大学的多学科研究人员和高级人员，在纳米技术研究和开发，公共政策，法律，健康，环境，经济学和生物伦理学方面具有优势，并将涉及代表一系列观点的外部合作者。项目小组将整合分析方法和评估标准，以使用历史和比较方法评价这些监督模式，并将整合调查结果，为纳米技术的新兴应用收集经验教训。该项目将分三个阶段进行：（1）通过（a）收集文献，（B）制定评估标准，（c）应用标准，以及（d）比较6种模式的发展、属性和结果，对6种历史监督模式进行评价;（2）将这些模式与纳米技术相结合，以便工作组就可行的纳米技术监督模式达成共识;以及（3）通过情景分析研究建议如何适用于特定的纳米产品，邀请反馈意见和公开介绍建议，完善关于监督纳米产品的建议。项目团队将提供关于监督评估的新思维，融合来自法律的、生物伦理学和公共政策方法的理论、方法和想法，为政策制定者、决策者、研究人员、行业、患者、研究对象、消费者和公众提供指导。该项目将提供与纳米技术密切相关的6项关键技术的监督模型的第一次综合评估。该项目的成果将包括：（1）出版个人撰写的分析6种历史监督模式的论文;（2）出版对6种模式的监督模式进行比较研究的工作;（3）出版小组撰写的关于纳米技术监督经验教训的共识文件;（4）通过硬拷贝和丰富的网络资源广泛传播政策分析和规范性监督建议;（5）在明尼苏达大学举办的公开会议，以提交论文并寻求公众反馈;以及（6）研究人员在外部会议上介绍项目工作。这些产品将推动对纳米技术监督机制的讨论，积极主动地确定关切和问题。研究人员、科学家、联邦机构、企业利益相关者、律师、学者、法官、立法者、政策制定者和公众将对该项目及其产品感兴趣。该项目将为研究生和专业学生提供与项目团队互动、开展研究、参加小组会议和参加有针对性的研讨会的机会。一个系列的研讨会将作为一个课程选项，为本科生和研究生在休伯特H。汉弗莱公共事务研究所，与法学院和其他项目交叉注册。PI还将奋进将该项目与K-12社区的科学教育需求联系起来。