Democratizing Technology
Subtitle: Risk, Responsibility and the Regulation of Chemicals (Science in Society Series)
Publisher: Earthscan Publications Ltd.; Earthscan
Published: October 2007
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 196
ISBN-13: 9781844074211
Subjects: Chemical industries; Impact of science & technology on society; Philosophy of science; Political Science; Consumer Health; Politics/International Relations; Environmental Science; Public Policy - Environmental Policy; Safety; Political Science / Public Policy / Environmental Policy; Environmental - General; Chemical industry; Environmental aspects; Government policy; Law and legislation
Description: "What is technology? How do humans use it to build and modify the world? What are the relationships between technology, science, economics and democratic governance? What, if any, are our ethical and political responsibilities and choices in how we develop, deploy and control technology in democratic states?" "Democratizing Technology sets out to answer these questions. Focusing on the most widespread and pervasive technology - chemicals - this volume peels apart the critical technology debate to look at the relationship between humans, technology and the biological world. Attention is given to the immensely important new regulations, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemicals), the EU's largest ever legal framework, discussing the problems that are likely to occur in REACH's reliance on risk assessment methods and suggesting an alternative way forward for the regulation of chemicals. Providing much-needed clarity and insight into the heart of key debates in science and technology, risk analysis and mitigation, and domestic and international law, this volume arrives as a breath of fresh air."--Jacket.