This article says that nanotechnology research and development in Latin America has accelerated significantly in recent years, but contends that these countries have failed to develop the “subjunctive social conditions to prepare for a transition to nanotechnology”. The article outlines the nanotechnology programs of several Latin American countries including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, and Ecuador, and says that the Network of Latin American and Caribbean MacroUniversities has created a Multilateral Research Program on Science and Technology to promote knowledge sharing on nanotechnology, among other things. The article says that almost all of these Latin American countries explicitly set forth the objective of speeding up nanotechnology development and integrating industry and commerce in order to boost their nation’s competitiveness. The article says: “However, improved competitiveness is not the same thing as improving the stand of living of people at large. . . Neither is improved competitiveness a guarantee of greater democracy, empowerment, and public participation.” The article says that Latin American nanotechnology proposals typically fail to consider possible socio-economic implications, to conduct studies on potential health and environmental risks and ethical implications of nanotechnology, and to develop a public participation process. The article says that one socio-economic risk of nanotechnology is the potential for commodities produced in Latin America like rubber, platinum, and copper to be displaced by nanomaterials and new technologies. The article says that unemployment could also arise in developing countries if increased efficiency from nanotechnology reduces reliance on work, land, and maintenance.
