There are many new emerging technologies, including to nanotechnologies. Those technologies can be useful for daily life. Indeed, nanotechnologies have been developed for a few years, but they are presently widely used. As a new technology, controlling is needed. There are many concerns on the effectiveness, efficacy, cost and safety but there is limited consideration on misconduct and misuse of the nanotechnology. The ethical issue is an important concern for any new technologies that is usually forgotten. Jameel noted that "great advances in technology produce unique challenges. Every technology also has a dual use, which needs to be understood and managed to extract maximum benefits for mankind and the development of civilization ^[1]." We cannot overlook the possible adverse consequences of any new technologies that can be problematic, harmful or dangerous. If it is illegally or unethically used without control, the new technology can be an unwanted danger.

"Why we have to concern on nanotechnology ethics?" is a simple question. Dalton-Brown noted that "Upstream engagement is commonly regarded as necessary for the smooth implementation of new technologies, particularly when there is an impact on health ^[2]. " Without ethical control, unwanted problem can result from the uncontrolled use of nanotechnology. There must be a code of conduct for dealing with nanotechnology.

Indeed, the international collaboration regarding ethics for nanotechnology is required. To achieve a sustainable management of the implementation of new nanotechnologies, both scientific and humanistic regulations are required ^[3]. An ethical problem regarding the nanotechnology might be a new thing and forgotten, but it is an important issue in present era of emerging nanotechnology. Both ethical and legal controls have important roles for harmonizing the use of new emerging nanotechnologies in nanomedicine ^[4]. There are many important questions regarding nanotechnology ethics ^[5-10] (Table 1). Those new questions become interesting queries for further "thinking and sharing" among practitioners regarding new nanomedical technology.

TABLE 1

Table 1. Interesting questions on nanotechnologies related ethics

For nanomedicine, the general rule of medical ethics must be applied ^[11]. At present, ethical dilemma on nanomedicine technology exists. The new technique might be the hope for management of complex disease whereas it can induce adverse effect on the other hand ^[11].

As noted by King, " Risks of harm, translational uncertainty, ambiguities in potential direct benefit, and long-term follow-up merit consideration in first-in-human research ^[12]." The first human nanomedicine trial and further use of newly nanomedicine therapeutic technologies directly violate this principle. With lack for complete data at present, there is no information on nanomedical technologies for the patients and there will be no complete informed consent. Long-term impact of unethical nanotechnology research might result in several unwanted problems such as carcinogenesis and mutagenesis due to nanomedical particle exposure. In addition, the unethical practitioner might use the non-proven nanomedical therapy for management of their patients aiming at making profit. Unregistered nanomedical drug is considered illegal but it has been widely used by several unethical practitioners ^{[11, 13]}. This is not an uncommon problem in developing countries ^[13].

In addition, to the unethical use of nanomedicine in medical practice, the problem on nanomedicine research and publication also exists. Indeed, there are many interesting case studies on unethical nanomedicine researches which confirm the urgent requirement for controlling ^[13-14]. Misconducts in nanomedicine research can be seen in several ways (fabrication, falsification a plagiarism). At present, many new nanopharmacy companies support the nanomedicine trials that are considered first human studies which are ethical challenges ^{[12, 15]}. The conflict of interest, privacy and confidentiality will be the important concerns in rapid growth of nanomedicine research. The proof of nanotoxicology is needed for any new nanotechnologies to confirm the "helping without harm" paradigm of nanomedicine ^[16]. Finally, the already developed technologies also pose ethical issues on patenting ^[17].

It is no doubt that the problem will increase in the nearly future since there is a rapid growth of nanomedicine. For future perspective, the specific international ethical standards for nanomedicine will be set up and correspond to the urgent requirement for control of nanomedicine. This will be the future hope for good clinical and ethical practice in nanomedicine.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to Cite This Article

Wiwanitkit V. Ethics in Nanomedicine: A Concern on New Nanotechnology. Med One. 2017 Oct 25; 2: e170025. https://doi.org/10.20900/mo.20170025