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April 24, 2006
The Nanoethics
Group to Speak at Int’l Space Development Conference
Notable speakers include Buzz Aldrin,
Burt Rutan, Bill Nye, Peter Diamandis, others
SANTA BARBARA, CA – April 24, 2006 – The
Nanoethics Group today announced that it has been invited to speak at the
25th annual International Space Development Conference (ISDC), held in Los
Angeles from May 4-7, 2006. Because nanotechnology will provide
lighter materials, more efficient energy sources, greater computing power
and other capabilities, it will enable greater space travel which raises a
unique set of ethical and social questions.
Co-hosted by The National Space Society and The Planetary Society as well as
sponsored by NASA and others, ISDC 2006 is the largest space advocacy
conference, with hundreds of presentations, interactive exhibits and other
activities. ISDC 2006 covers the spectrum of space-related issues –
including exploration, tourism, science, technology, policy and commerce –
and boasts a full roster of prominent speakers and guests, such as:
legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Virgin Galactic’s founder Sir Richard
Branson, first space tourist Dennis Tito and other industry and academic
leaders as well as Hollywood celebrities.
Patrick Lin, Ph.D., research director for The Nanoethics Group, will present
his paper “Space Ethics: Look Before Taking Another Leap for Mankind” that
seeks to balance the exuberant race to develop space commercially with
reflective questions about its ethics, beyond the usual issues involving
environmental, safety and other concerns. Specifically, if space
tourism and development are truly on our horizon, then we stand before a
rare opportunity to build a new society in space. But just as we would not
rush into developing, for example, Antarctica without planning ahead on
issues such as property rights and local government, the same responsibility
to think ahead also exists in space development.
The paper also raises a number of related questions such as: What would be a
fair process for commercializing or claiming property in space (as opposed
to a chaotic land-grab similar to that with Internet domain names)?
How likely would a separatist movement be among settlements who want to be
free from their mother nations on Earth? Are reasons such as for
adventure, wanderlust or "backing up the biosphere" good enough to justify
our exploration of space?
Dr. Lin stated, “We are honored to be a part of this international
conference, and our presentation shows that nanoethics converges with many
areas of society, including space development. We hope to share
insights on ‘the bigger picture’: instead of thinking of our space efforts
as a string of launches and projects, this really represents our first steps
into building a new world, much like English colonialism was more than
merely sending boats to America.”
For more information, please visit
isdc.nss.org/2006/index.html.
Dr. Lin’s paper may be accessed at
www.nanoethics.org/paper042406.html.
ABOUT
US
The Nanoethics Group is a non-partisan and independent research organization formed to study
nanotechnology’s impact on society and related ethical issues. As
professional ethicists, we help to identify and evaluate possible harms and
conflicts as well as to bring balance and common sense to the debate. Our
mission is to educate and advise both organizations and the broader public
on these issues as a foundation to guide policy and responsible research. For more information, please visit
www.nanoethics.org.
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