Nanotechnology & Society in Latin America

Edgar Zayago Lau

Doctoral Candidate in Development Studies.
Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Mexico.
NanoforumEULA Visiting Researcher at University of Twente,
Coordinated by MESA+, Located at STeHPS.
Member of the Latin American Network on Nanotechnology and Society (ReLANS).
www.estudiosdeldesarrollo.net/relans
www.zayagolau.com
Email: edzlau@yahoo.com
 Purpose
• Provide an overarching picture of the state of
nanotechnology in Latin America
• Confront the argument of using nanotechnology
as a tool for gaining competitiveness, which is
embedded in the current research agendas
(without consideration of the particular social
context of the region)
• Present alternatives to influence the change on
research agendas
 Current Trends
Exports in Latin America
almost reached
US$ 500,000 million in
2006

Source: Lux Research (2007) Nanomaterial Forecast: Volumes and Applications.

 Nanotechnology in Latin America
(Leading Countries)*

1. Brazil

2.Mexico

*According to the resources allocated into

nanotechnology development (research centers, 3. Argentina
number of scientists, research networks, money,
infrastructure and partnerships)
 Nanotechnology in Latin America

•Up-and-coming countries: Chile,Venezuela,

Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba…

•Emerging countries: Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador and

Guatemala
 Nanotechnology for Development
in Latin America
•540 million inhabitants
•284 million live in poverty(ECLAC, 2007)
•60 million children do not have access to potable water(ECLAC in jornada, 2008)
•30 million children suffer from malnutrition (FAO in jornada, 2008)

How to use nanotechnology for development?

The neutral vs the contextual approach

 Nanotechnology for Development
in Latin America:
the neutral position
Benefits: energy/ agricultural productivity/ water treatment / diagnosis of diseases

“Nanotechnology is likely to be particularly important in the developing world, because it

involves little labor, land, or maintenance; it is highly productive and inexpensive; and it requires
only modest amounts of materials and energy. Nanotechnology products will be extremely
productive, as energy producers, as materials collectors, and as manufacturing equipment”(Task
Force on Science, Technology and Innovation of the United Nations Millennium Project, Juma & Yee-Cheong, 2005, p. 70).

Nanotechnology could help to achieve at least 5 of the 8 Millennium Development Goals

The University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics (UTJCB) (Salamanca-Buentello, et al., 2005)

* Organizers of the North-South Dialogue on Nanotechnology/UNIDO (2005)

* G8 meeting in Scotland (2005)

 Nanotechnology for Development in Latin America:
the contextual position
Nanotechnology is shaped according to the socioeconomic context/ social relations/ historical moment
(ETC Group, 2005) (Foladori e Invernizzi, 2005) (Meridian Institute, 2005)

“Even if opportunities related to nanotechnology are identified and environmental and

human health risks are appropriately evaluated and managed, there is still a risk that small
minorities of people will benefit from its opportunities, while large majorities, mainly in the
developing world, will not … In fact, nanotechnology could be a major problem for poorer
countries if it makes their labor, commodities, and other exports less necessary in the global
market” (Meridian Institute, 2005, p.10).

Issues to consider:
-Patent Regulation (WIPO)
-Weak regulation in Latin American-health and environmental risks
-Lack of public information, debate and participation in decision making
-Research agendas focused on competitiveness, not on social needs
-Macro-economic success=less poor? Mexican Case
Nanotechnology & Society in Latin America

What to do to create real applications of

nanotechnology for development rather than dubious
promises?

Socio-technical scenarios/future scripts/CTA:

(Rip, et. al, 1995; Rip, & te Kulve, 2008; den Boer & Rip, 2008)

-Real life diagnosis of platforms/Analysis of ongoing

research dynamics
-Support actions to change research agendas according
to social needs/Bridging the gaps
Nanotechnology & Society in Latin America

Thank you
Questions? / Comments
Edgar Zayago Lau
Doctoral Candidate in Development Studies.
Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Mexico.
NanoforumEULA Visiting Researcher at University of Twente,
Coordinated by MESA+, Located at STeHPS.
Member of the Latin American Network on Nanotechnology and Society (ReLANS).
www.estudiosdeldesarrollo.net/relans
www.zayagolau.com
Email: edzlau@yahoo.com
Nanotechnology & Society in Latin America
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