Nanotechnology & Society in Mexico
CNS will host two scholars from Mexico, who will address nanotechnology & society issues in Mexico. Their visit is part of Workshop One coordinated under a UC Mexus grant to assist in development of a Center for Nanotechnology in Society in Mexico.
Guillermo Foladori, Professor of Development Studies, Coordinator of the Latin American Nanotechnology & Society Network, and co-PI with Rich Appelbaum on a UC-Mexus grant to develop a CNS in Mexico, will speak on Nanotechnology Social Methodological Issues.
Abstract. Most analyses of nanotechnology development agree on two main principles. One, that innovation success depends on the relationship between government, industry and academia. Two, that the market guarantees the free flow of information, which is a key factor for innovation.
Based on the analysis of the behavior of the different social agents over the last decade, those assumptions will be challenged.
Edgar Zayago, Associate Professor of Development Studies and a member of the National System of Researchers Tier 1 of the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACYT), will address The Path of Nanotechnologies in Mexico.
Abstract. By various accounts nanotechnology is portrayed as the new industrial revolution. Developing countries see this technology as an important tool to become more competitive to conquer international markets and as a consequence improve their economic performance. Within Latin America, Brazil and Mexico emerge as the leading countries in the nanotechnology field. The Mexican case stands out due to the absence of a National Plan or Initiative for the promotion or direction of research related to the development of this technology. The lack of planning can cause the overlapping of efforts which later could be the origin of economic and environmental tragedies; particularly, if research centers and high-tech parks are competing against one another rather than moving together toward a common goal. As Mexico follows an unmarked path regarding nanotechnology development, the risk of being led astray is significant.
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