The 2nd International Conference on Molecular Robot Ethics
Date & Time: 9th Oct. (Tue), 2018 14:00-17:30
Place: Small Conference Room, 5th Floor, Tower-Hall Funabori, Tokyo
Organized by JST HITE projects of Co-creation of Molecular Robot ELSI and Real-timeTechnology Assessment Research Co-Creation and Communication for Real-Time
Technology Assessment (CoRTTA) on Information Technology and Molecular Robotics
Supported by SICE Molecular Robotics Research Group

Molecular Robotics, an emerging interdisciplinary research field among robotics,
chemistry and biology has attracted interest from the viewpoint of futuretechnologies potentially applicable to intelligent drug delivery system and artificial
muscle for cancer therapy and regenerative medicine, to name a few. Thisconference focuses on the ethics and technology assessment aspects of molecularrobotics. The topics of interest includes comparison between molecular robotics andsystems biology ethics, molecular robot guideline, responsible research andinnovation and dual use issues in emergence technology, but not restricted to.
Program:Moderator: Ryuma Shineha (Seijo University)

14:00-15:30 <Molecular Robotics, ELSI and TA session>
Opening Remarks
Molecular Robotics: Its Concept, Technology and EthicsAkihiko Konagaya (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Safety engineering by synthetic biology
Daisuke Kiga (Waseda University)
Designing RRI after ELSI: To whom are we responsible?
Erika Szymanski (The University of Edinburgh, UK)
15:30-16:00 Break
16:00-17:30 < Interdisciplinary Technology Assessment session>
Japanese Perspectives on Molecular Robotics: Formulating EthicalPrinciples of Molecular Robotics(ver. 1.1)

Naoto Kawahara (Kyushu University)
On governing risks of emerging technologies: Exemplary cases andcautionary tales from synthetic biology
Kenneth Oye (MIT Political Science, USA)Interdisciplinary technology assessment – practice and outlook for
responsible molecular robotics
Stephan Lingner (EA European Academy of Technology andInnovation Assessment, Germany)
Closing Remarks

Ethical Principles of Molecular Robotics (ver. 1.1)
分子ロボット技術倫理綱領第 1.1 版(First Edition, 8th August, 2018)(2018 年 3 月 5 日作成)
(2018 年 8 月 8 日改訂)

Preamble
Nowadays, it is an issue of extreme importance to establish an ethical framework with a
new view of material, information and life according to a technological development. With
ever-increasing progress in creativity and ingenuity of technology, new devices and systems
appear continuously. However, there are concerns about the ethical scope of molecularrobotics. In Japan, research and development of molecular robotics has been promoted,
taking advantage of an important elemental technology concerning senses, motions andintelligence. More complicated configurations of systems in molecular robotics areconceivable, which will be applied to informatics, engineering, chemistry, biology andmedicine in the near future. In this context, we formulate the following ethical principles.
We also request any person who engages in molecular robotics to comply with theseprinciples.
今般、技術開発の進展に伴い、新しい物質・情報・生命観を想起し、倫理の枠組みを社会の中に確立させていくことは重要な課題といえよう。 モノづくりが進化し、これまでになかったデバイスやシステムが次々と現れる一方、分子ロボット技術の倫理的課題も多岐に及ぶ。わが国の分子ロボット技術は、感覚、運動、知能が重要な要素として捉えられ、それぞれの要素技術を活かした研究開発が進められているところである。将来的に、分子ロボット技術は、より複雑な構成が実現可能になるとともに、情報学、工学、化学、生物学、そして、医学・医療などに応用されることが予想される。このような背景において、私たちは、以下の倫理綱領を定めるとともに、分子ロボット技術に携わるすべての者にその遵守を求めるものである。

Ethical Principles
１．Comprehensive assessment of risks and benefits▶ Any person who engages in molecular robotics shall make a comprehensive
assessment of potential harm for human beings or the environment as well as predictedrisks and benefits. Then they shall also take measures to minimize those burdens andrisks.
リスク・ベネフィットの総合評価▶ 分子ロボット技術に携わる者は、その技術の複雑化とともに、人間・環境への負担ならびに予測されるリスク及び利益についての総合的な評価を行うとともに、それらの負担及びリスクを最小化させ得る対策を講じなければならない。

２．Consideration for safety and environment▶ Any person who engages in molecular robotics shall take containment and safetymeasures for the environment. This includes ethical responsibility and consideration
for future generations.
安全と環境への配慮▶ 分子ロボット技術に携わる者は、環境への拡散防止のための措置、安全の確保に向けた取組を行う必要がある。これは、将来世代に対する責任と配慮を含む。

３． Paying attention to security and dual-use issues▶ Any person who engages in molecular robotics shall investigate security measures inconsideration of physical, personnel, transport, material, and information aspects. They
shall also pay attention to dual-use issues.
セキュリティとデュアルユース問題への留意▶ 分子ロボット技術に携わる者は、物理的・人的な観点のみならず、輸送や材料管理、情報の観点も考慮したセキュリティ対応を検討するべきである。併せて、デュアルユースに関する問題にも注意を払う必要がある。

４． Ensuring accountability and transparency▶ Any person who engages in molecular robotics shall ensure accountability andtransparency for the public good, making progress of the research and development
rooted in social justice.
説明責任と透明性の担保▶ 分子ロボット技術に携わる者は、社会正義に根ざした研究開発を進展させるにあたり、公共への説明責任と透明性を担保しなければならない。

The above principles will continue to be revised as needed.

以上、この倫理綱領は今後も必要に応じて見直していくものとする。