January 13, 2012

New EC Publication Marks New Strategy Towards Responsible Innovation

Science in Society Programme reflects on how to proceed towards Responsible Research and Innovation in the Information and Communication Technologies and Security Technology fields

A new publication from the European Commission's Science in Society Programme features a series of research articles on ethical frameworks for new and emerging fields of science and technology. Towards Responsible Research and Innovation in the Information and Communication Technologies and Security Technologies Fields includes articles written by coordinators or participants to major FP7 projects funded under the Science in Society Programme.

The topic of ethics with regard to privacy and data protection issues emerges as a theme across various new technologies, such as information technology, security technology, biometrics, biomedical technology and the prospective applications of particular nano-technologies. This book brings together early results of research and coordination projects funded under the European Commission-funded Science in Society programme (FP7) which addresses the Research and Technology Development phase or the application phase of new technologies. These projects yield insights on how our understanding of privacy may change in light of those technologies, and how privacy is weighed against other ethical values related to security and practical convenience. These research and coordination efforts usually do not address only single, particular technologies since the privacy issue will be shaped by the simultaneous use of various technologies and address relevant EC directives and national legislation.

The European Commission's Science in Society initiative aims to stimulate a harmonious integration of scientific and technological endeavour and associated research policies in European society.

The report can be downloaded here.