"By Design" and Risk Regulation: Insights from Nanotechnologies. (1st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: MIETTINEN, Mirella
• Is Part Of: European journal of risk regulation. Volume 12:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 775
• Page End: 791
• Publication Date: 2021-12-01
• Subjects: Risk management -- Periodicals; Risk management -- Europe -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 363.102
• DOI: 10.1017/err.2020.58
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1867-299X

Abstract

Abstract : Contemporary risk regulation requires an interdisciplinary approach that integrates science, law and socio-political discourses. This calls for new tools in the risk regulation process that enable regulators to adapt to a constantly changing technological realm and help overcome the interdisciplinarity dilemma. In the field of nanotechnologies, tools proposed in the literature include "by design" approaches. In this article, I analyse how the safe-by-design and benign-by-design concepts, emerging in materials science and drug development, could enhance interdisciplinarity in risk regulation. I suggest that further development and implementation of "by design" from a scientific concept to an adaptive regulatory tool could support progressive risk governance of innovative technological developments and enhance the interdisciplinary approach in risk regulation.