Current and future ethical issues in nanotechnology

In this paper, we focus on the potential ethical dilemmas that may arise in current applications of nanotechnology, particularly as applied in the Internet of Things, Autonomous Vehicles, and Precision Health. We provide a taxonomy that includes Professional Issues, Legal and Regulatory Issues, and Ethical Issues that arise in these applications. We look at places where developments in the field of nanotechnology are happening, such as the IBM Almaden Lab and the Stanford Nano Shared Facilities Fabrication Lab and describe the issues covered by their Codes of Conduct. We discuss the National Nanotechnology Initiative's and European Commission's attention to ethical issues. In conclusion, we prescribe responses to the current and future ethical dilemmas that may arise from nanotechnology's application in current and emerging applications.