Models of governance for converging technologies

Abstract

The development of converging technologies (CTs) closely interacting with the human body might become one of the great challenges for science and technology governance in the years to come. This paper compares the visions and recommendations on CT policies by Roco and Bainbridge with those of the high-level expert group in the EU (authored by Nordmann), and documents differences in their respective conceptualizations of uncertainty, complexity and the future. While Roco and Bainbridge argue for the urgency of technological development, Nordmann recommends a thorough social process of upstream public participation in the framing of the technological goals to be achieved. However, a tension is seen in the Nordmann report regarding the role of public resistance in the development of technology.

Keywords:

• converging technologies
• complexity
• governance
• nanotechnology
• policy
• public participation
• risk
• uncertainty

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to the two anonymous referees for their constructive criticism and suggestions. Part of this research has been funded by the Norwegian Research Council's NANOMAT program, and we are especially grateful for this support.