Moral Imagination, trading zones, and the role of the ethicist in nanotechnology

The authors of this article discuss the importance of including ethicists in research teams working on emerging technological and business systems from their inception. Because the societal and ethical impacts of these emerging technologies can entirely be forseen, it is extremely important that ethicists, scientists and engineerings communicate meaningfully with one another so ethical issues can be addressed at an early stage in development. To do so, the authors suggest that a trading zone be established, which, in conjunction with mental models and moral imagination, can help all different stakeholders collaborate effectively on a project and introduce thinking about the ethical and social dimensions of a project at an early stage in the process.