Memo: Ethical aspects of nanomedicine: opinion presented to the Commission by the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies

Following the request made by President Barroso on 10 November 2005, the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) chaired by Swedish philosopher Göran Hermerén on 24 January 2007 handed the President its Opinion on the ethical aspects of nanomedicine. In its Opinion the EGE acknowledges that nanomedicine offers the possibility of new diagnostic, treatment and preventive methods that may open up promising areas of medicine. The Opinion focuses on ethics issues arising from nanomedicine but also discusses a number of problems raised by nanotechnology insofar as they concern primarily health-related issues.