You are on page 1of 12

Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Technology in Society
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/techsoc

Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national


implications for policy and regulatory issues
Gian Carlo Delgado-Ramos a, b, *
a
Interdisciplinary Research Center on Sciences and Humanities, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico
b
National Research System, National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico, Mexico

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Nanotechnology, or the capacity to manipulate matter at the atomic (or nanometric) scale,
Received 11 August 2012 promises such potential that important challenges and impacts are now foreseen, both
Received in revised form 23 July 2013 positive and negative. Examples include possibilities to contribute to the production of
Accepted 13 September 2013
clean energy, to water purication, and to important medical advances; specic IP and
legal questions posed by the sector; the possibility of risks to health and the environment;
Keywords:
as well as societal and ethical aspects linked both, to scientic-technological pursuits per
Nanoscience
se and to the associated political-business action. In this context, besides more scientic
Nanotechnology
Implications
research regarding nanomaterials potential risks and nanotechnology implications, a
Regulation broader regulation based on an open, constructive, and permanent dialogue among the
Mexico diverse actors seems critical. The following paper assesses this diversity of issues for the
case of Mexico. It opens with a panoramic introduction to the topic, followed by a general
overview on the advancement of nanosciences and nanotechnology (N&N) worldwide. It
then offers an evaluation of the current state of Mexicos N&N capabilities and the chal-
lenges ahead; a review of IP issues and its implications for Mexico, and nally a discussion
on regulatory aspects related to human health and the environment being addressed by
national authorities and specialists.
2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction of matter at said scale with the purpose to use it in specic


applications, such as civil, military, or security applications
Nanotechnology refers to the manipulation of material [27,55,59].
at the nanometric scale, at about a billionth part of a metre. Applications may be so varied and have such vast de-
It is a technology that, aside from being characterized by grees of complexity that some experts prefer to refer to
operating at such dimensions (at which other disciplines nanotechnologies in order to more precisely account for
such as chemistry and biology also work), alludes in said diversity of uses (this text employs the singular or the
particular to the design, characterization, and production of plural indistinctly). For example, nanostructured materials
novel nanostructures, nanodevices, and nanosystems are already used in luxury goods such as golf and bowling
based on controlling the form, the size, and the properties balls; in the fabrication of high performance tires and stain
and wrinkle-resistant fabrics; in cosmetics and new ther-
apeutic treatments; in lters and membranes for water
* Corresponding author. Centro de Investigaciones Interdisciplinarias
purication and other environmental solutions; in the
en Ciencias y Humanidades, Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico,
Torre II de Humanidades, 5to Piso, Ciudad Universitaria, Mxico City
improvement of production processes through the intro-
04510, Mexico. Tel.: 52 55 56230222x42777. duction of more resistant or efcient materials, or in the
E-mail address: giandelgado@unam.mx. design of new materials for uses that range from electronics

0160-791X/$ see front matter 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
2 G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112

and practically the entire transportation industry, to inputs whatever that means [33,46,56]. All the while, the advance
used in chemical-biological arms detectors or for the of N&N is already an imminent fact.
fabrication of more sophisticated weapons.1
These applications, among others, have already 2. Nanoscience and nanotechnology worldwide: a
generated two fronts of attention. On one hand, broad brief overview
benets are observed of the possibility of potential
restructuration, in principle, of our entire material sur- The economic paradigm suggested by the advance of
roundings. And on the other, warnings have arisen of N&N at the global level is already expressed in growing
certain implications that this transformation could expenditure channelled through diverse governmental and
generate on the environment, and in turn on health, given business initiatives and programmes. Total global expen-
the presence of novel human-designed nanostructures diture by 2010 has been estimated at about 70 billion
(not naturally generated) whose characteristics remainat dollars (USD) of which 18 billion corresponded only to
least partiallyunknown. 2010. Less than to thirds of such total expending has been
The high degree of uncertainty regarding the potential public but it is to notice that since 2008 private funds are
risks of nano-innovations is particularly noteworthy. There now the major source: about 60% by 2010 [58]. Public
is recognition in the sphere of nanotechnologies of the spending has therefore contracted notoriously. From 2004
constrictions or obstacles in the internal characterization of to 2008 it grew at a rate of 130% but since then it has
nanostructures; in the simultaneous manipulation of dropped to 9.3%.
various atoms; in the understanding of the collective While countries such as the United States (USA), Japan,
behaviour of nanosystems, and in the design of assembly Germany, France and United Kingdom are at the forefront
mechanisms of new architectural forms of nano- of R&D in the matter, others such as China and Russia have
components useful for the development of new nano- begun to take giant steps in this direction [8,13,15,16]. For
systems or nanodevices, among other issues [7,29,59]. One example, by 2006 China was already in second place on
may therefore deduceas is already recognized by the nanoscience publications worldwide, ahead of Japan
expert and the international regulatory communitythat (although not in the sphere of nanopatents) [13].
potential risks are probable and, furthermore, in multiple While the context is highly competitive, in general
cases are difcult to immediately detect given that what is terms between the USA, Europe and Japan, the USA re-
being manipulated is directly imperceptible to our senses mains well positioned in this novel technological niche,
[28,29,53,59]. It is a factor that generates a disconnection mainly in key areas and applications, holding dominant
between the causes and effects of the advance of nano- presence in the patent ofces of both, its own country
technologies, in both time and space, adding further and Europe. According to OECD data, since 1978 the USA
complexity to their handling [13]. dominated with 34.6% of nanopatents of the total regis-
Said situation is fuelling the promotion of eco- tered in the European Patents Ofce (EPO). It was fol-
toxicological research on nanomaterials, the development lowed by Japan with 29.2% and European Union (EU)
of portable and reliable devices for the detection of nano- countries with a total of 28.4%. In the case of the US
structures, among other aspects and measures [3,7,23,29,41]. Trademarks and Patents Ofce (USTPO), the USA holds
Furthermore, some efforts for appropriate nanotechnology 46% of such patents, while its closest competitor, Japan,
governance are been proposed and even carried out [30,60], held 27%, and the European Union 19% ([13]; OECD Patent
all in a context in which potential benets [58], risks and Data Base). All together, USA, Japan and the EU hold 90%
implications are continuously being imagined, discussed and of worldwide nanopatents. China however gures at the
researched, including many approaches with strong ethical- 20th place (Ibid).
moral overtones [17,39,48,66]. Therefore its not surprising that the USA continues to
For instance, it is being stated that some nanomaterials increase its budget in N&N. For 2013 the Federal request
may be toxic and therefore result in allergic reactions, accounts for 1.76 billion USD, mainly for fundamental
intoxication, and possibly even alteration and/or the death phenomena & processes (28.2%); nanoscale devices and
of humans and other life forms, with unpredictable con- systems (23.4%) and research and development of nano-
sequences; that the benets of accelerated advancement of materials (20.8%) (http://nanodashboard.nano.gov). USA
nanotechnologies will not necessarily reach the large ma- strength may be observed in the 5000 active projects it
jority of the population that lacks economic means (for a maintains; in the 26 research mega-centres dedicated to
review of the case of nanomedicine, see Ref. [1]); that the N&N and the several dozen research institutes of diverse
military applications of nanotechnology will potentially calibres with some type of nanotech-project(s); in the ca-
affect human rights and international relations by trans- pacity to train some 10,000 students a year in the eld, and
forming the nature of war [2,13,24,44], or that the current in the incomes registered for the sale of inputs for elabo-
progress of nanotechnology, alongside other novel tech- ration of products that integrate nanomaterials or nano-
nologies, may result in the medium to long term in the processes in some stage of their fabrication (Roco, Mihail;
transformation of human nature by altering the human personal communication, Mexico: September 11th, 2009).
body and mind, supposedly toward something better, In 2008, Roco states, said income reached 80 billion USD
(Ibid).
The real relevance of this last point emerges when one
1
For an ample review of nano-products, see: www.nanotechproject. considers the growing market of nanotechnology-enabled
org/inventories/consumer/. products. In 2004 there were some 13 billion USD in sales

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112 3

of such products throughout the world but by 2008 the health and the safety of the consumers [60], signed in
gure was 166 billion USD [9,37]. Estimates predict that by Mexico City on November 2012.
2015 that market could be in the range of one trillion dol- Despite this panorama, which in fact contrasts sharply
lars [54] to 2.4 trillion dollars [25]. with the narratives of multiple governmental and corpo-
The same can be said in relation to the dynamic nano- rate actors throughout Latin America who emit urgent
technology global market that is growing as more goods are calls to jump on the nano-train before it is too late (but
incorporating and are expected to incorporate some type of with no concrete support backing it up; Brazil might be a
nanotechnology (by 2015, up to 15% of global manu- clear exception), the countrys potential should not be
facturing; [47]).2 This is one of the main reasons to believe underestimated. Just fewer than 450 researchers are said
that the global nanotechnology market, estimated in 2010 to be working in approximately 160 labs of more than 40
at 15.7billions, might grow to 27 billions [21] or even 30 research and development entities throughout the coun-
billions by 2015 [25]. Ref. [25] believe that the lowest gure try [11]. Although the majority are concentrated in a few
could be achieved as early as 2013. Ref. [21] points out that research centres of the National Science and Technology
nanomaterials and nanotools will be the more relevant Council (CONACYT), the National Autonomous University
segments of 2015 global nanotechnology market. The rst of Mexico (UNAM), and the Centre for Research and
might reach 19.6 billions from 10 billions in 2010. The Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute of
second one could reach 6.8 billions from 5.8 billions in the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV-IPN),
2010. among others [1012].
Therein is located the driving force behind the strong Mexicos Special Program on Science and Technology,
hype and competition for the quota of demand that re- corresponding to both 20012006 and 20082012, identi-
mains to be covered and certainly to be expanded, a context ed N&N as a strategic niche that should be subject of
in which developing countries still can relatively gain a support. In its most recent edition, mention is made
share of the market while solving its own necessities. although very scarce support is allocated to the following
areas established as priorities: catalysis, polymers, nano-
biomaterials, thin-lms, simulation and characterization,
3. Nanoscience and nanotechnology in Mexico and nanoceramics.
Greater disarticulation and limited nance were regis-
In contrast with the USA and European scenarios a tered in the rst period. Between 1999 and 2004, CONACYT
funding constrain and an important disarticulation is nanced 150 projects, 53% of which were in the area of
observed among the actors typically involved in R&D of materials, for a total of 14.4 million USD, resulting in an
cutting-edge science and technology (Nation State, com- average support of 94,700 USD per project in this ve-year
panies, and centres of knowledge production; [13]). Unlike period. This is only a fraction of Brazils expenditure be-
the cases noted above, or even those of Argentina and tween 2001 and 2006, which totalled 140 million R$
Brazil, no national plan on N&N exists yet in Mexico; there (approximately 55 million USD). Both of these cases of
is not a national initiative (however as it will be describe, a course appear insignicant compared to the USA, which
national network of researchers has been established), and spent 3.28 billion USD between 2000 and 2004 [11].
much less any mature regional cooperation initiatives In 2006, CONACYT outlined the creation of two national
beyond some specic international and national coopera- laboratories with a budget of 2 million USD each (one in
tion agreements that exist between institutions or in- Chihuahua, the CIMAV,3 and another in San Luis Potosi, the
dividuals, but that in general dont involve integrative IPCyT4) and established projects in strategic areas through
endogenous schemes at the national level (meaning pro- nance allocated to ve institutions in the amount of
ductive value chains). There is not a formally established 10,000 USD each. At that time, the Ministry of Economics
and recognized pack or scheme of incentives for the mid was designated in charge of promoting the commerciali-
and long term. Nor are there any specic regulations zation of nanotechnology in Mexico under the logic that
regarding R&D procedures and norms; intellectual prop- support to nanotechnology should be based on the interest
erty guidelines; labour norms to safeguard workers, or and demand of the business sector, a procedure akin to
legislation on the quality and verication of imports con- those employed in the USA, Brazil and Argentina, to
taining nanostructures or that make use of some type of exemplify some similar schemes. For that purpose, a
nano-process. The latest points are however agged by the specialized group was created whose role later vanished in
Guidelines on regulations for nanotechnologies to foster mid-2008 as a result of the sudden replacement of the
competitiveness and protect the environment, the human minister of Economy (Secretario de Economa) and most
certainly as part of internal policy decisions.
2
An aspect to highlight at this point is the geographic
The primary nanostructured materials employed have been carbon,
concentration of innovation in Mexico, which is even
accounting for 34%; silver (30%); silicon (17%); titanium (including oxide)
(9%); zinc (including oxide) (9%), and cerium oxide (1%) [40]. The gures greater for the case of N&N. The Federal District (Mexico
on the dimensions of estimated consumption of nanomaterials are star- City), the States of Mexico, Chihuahua, Quertaro, San Luis
tling. For the 20102020 period, some 58,000 tons are predicted to be
consumed, four-fths of this amount exclusively for structural applica-
tions [59]. World demand for nanomaterials has recently expected to be
3
more than two-and-a-half times by 2016 (from 2011 baseline) with a Center for Research on Advanced Materials of CONACYT.
4
value estimated of 5.5 billion for 2016 [22]. Carbon nanotubes, nanoclays Institute for Scientic and Technological Research of San Luis Potosi of
and quantum dots are expected to grow at the fastest pace (Ibid). CONACYT.

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
4 G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112

Potos, Baja California and Nuevo Len (mainly the city of photocells, and other electronics (case of the Tijuana and
Monterrey), constitute the nucleus of R&D in this niche in manufacturing areas), or in the toxicological study of
Mexico. Particularly noteworthy are the border cases that nanomaterials used for relevant and protable applications
have tended to link with the USA and therefore to conform in developed countries, including in the medical and
what could be seen as binational N&N corridors in which cosmetic elds, among others (this last type of activities do
much of the Mexican research coordinates with projects not necessarily need to be located at specic sites and is
already established and dened in the USA, or is tied to high- corroborated by cases carried or being carried out by CIMAV,
technology assembly processes [12]. See Fig. 1. This is either IPICYT or CINVESTAV-Merida located at the north, centre
in the fabrication of nanomaterials (case of the nano- and south of the country respectively).
incubator at the PITT industrial park in Monterrey, Nuevo As indicated in Fig. 1, a number of ad hoc technological
Len, Mexico; see below), in the characterization of nano- parks can be identied in this dynamic. These full the
materials for industrial processes carried out in border- function of providing scientic-technological and innova-
region maquiladora plants such as at-screen manufacture, tion services associated with the already mentioned

Fig. 1. Binational N&N corridors. I. University of California Los Angeles/Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility at Irvine/Nasas Institute for Cell Mimetic Space
Exploration; II. Caltech; III. Naval Air Warfare Centre Weapons Point Mugu/Naval Surface Warfare Centre Seal Beach/US Air Force Space Missile Centre El
Segundo; IV. University of California San Diego; V. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Centre San Diego; VI. Centre for Integrated Nanotechnologies at Alamos
National Laboratory; VII. Centre for Integrated Nanotechnologies at Sandia National Laboratory; VIII. Kirtland Airforce Research Laboratory; IX. University of New
Mexico; X. New Mexico State University Las Cruces; XI. White Sands Missile Range Army Research Laboratory; XII. University of Texas Austin; XIII. Texas A&M
University; XIV. Rice University; XV. Baylor College of Medicine; XVI. University of Houston; XVII. Louisiana Tech University; XVIII. Engineer Research and
Development Centre US Army Corps of Engineers; XIX. Louisiana State University Baton Rouge; XX. University of New Orleans Research Park; XXI. University
of Louisiana Lafayette; XXII; Centre for Advanced Microstructures & Devices Baton Rouge; XXIII. Naval Surface Warfare Centre Panama City, FL/Air
Armament Centre 1. Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnologa unam; 2. Centro de Investigacin Cientca y de Educacin Superior de Ensenada; 3. Universidad
de Sonora; 4. Centro de In vestigacin en Alimentacin y Desarrollo, A.C.; 5. Instituto Tecnolgico de Hermosillo; 6. Universidad Autnoma de Ciudad Jurez; 7.
Instituto Tecnolgico de Ciudad Jurez; 8. Instituto Tecnolgico de Chihuahua; 9. Centro de Investigacin en Materiales Avanzados, S. C; 10. Universidad Autnoma
de Chihuahua; 11. Corporacin Mexicanade Investigacin en Materiales, S.A. de C.V: 12. Centro de Investigacin en Qumica Aplicada; 13. Instituto Tecnolgico de
Saltillo; 14. Universidad Autnoma de San Luis Potos; 15. Instituto Potosino de Investigacin Cientca y Tecnolgica A.C; 16. Universidad Autnoma de Zacatecas;
17. Universidad Politcnica de Aguascalientes; 18. Instituto Tecnolgico de Ciudad Madero; 19. Instituto de Innovacin y Transferencia de Tecnologa de Nuevo
Len; 20. Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len; 21. Instituto Tecnolgico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey; 22. Universidad de Monterrey. Source: authors
elaboration. Taken from Delgado, 2010.

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112 5

maquila manufacturing processes that respond more to By the end of 2011, the N&NNN accounted for just about
momentary interests than to a real process of long term two thirds of the total estimated scientic community
governmental planning. involved in N&N research in Mexico (Table 1). The majority
For the case of nanotechnology, one relevant case is the are from three states (Mexico City, Chihuahua and Baja
just mentioned Research and Technological Innovation California) and two institutions (UNAM and IPN), besides
Park (PIIT) in Monterrey, Nuevo Len. It is an initiative CONACYTs own research centres, being CIMAV at the
partially nanced by the Inter-American Development forehead. The main research area is fabrication and char-
Bank (project No. ME-T1030) that comprises a nano- acterization of nanomaterials, Fig. 2.
technological incubator managed through an alliance be- Additionally to the N&NNN afliates, there are more
tween CIMAV and the University of Texas at Austin, among than a hundred non-afliated researchers that had been
other actors (see: www.piit.com.mx). The PIIT also involves identied, most of them from national research centres of
companies such as Cemex (Mexico), Sigma (Mexico), the CONACYT.
Motorola (USA), AMD (USA), Bosch (Germany), Cydsa The function of the N&NNN, as told, is yet limited to the
(Mexico), Vitro (Mexico), Owens Corning (USA), and acquisition of some equipment and the funding of con-
Pepsico-Gamesa (USA). gresses, academicscientic activities and the mobility of
While not negative, this is certainly a limited endeavour. researchers. Unfortunately in the last year, funds from the
Nevertheless, it should be noted that this project, just federal government to the N&NNN were considerably
launched in 2009, has begun to generate regional syn- reduced (it probably responded to the presidential election
ergies, in particular among and with the Monterrey-area process, an aspect that would conrm that a sexennial
business community (and their foreign partners). In this approach is still operating in Mexicos political arena, at
sense, the business presence (Peoles, Nemak, Owens least in what respects to funding).
Corning, Industrias Vago, etc.) and the interest on the part In short, the N&NNN is certainly important but it remains
of certain governmental sectors (CONACYT and the gov- far from constituting an articulated national program
ernment of the state of Nuevo Len, for example), suggest founded on a medium to long-term endogenous national
that indeed nanotechnology gures as a technological front project in innovation and development (in terms of opera-
that is both relevant and of great potential for the country tion, similarly to the US National Nanotechnology Initiative).
[10,14].5 To note is that this situation doesnt reect the state of the
Still, the broad disarticulation of the national scientic- art on human resources as described before, neither on
technological activity is of great concern. It is reected, as human resources formation since there are around 87
said, in the lack not only of a N&N national initiative, but postgraduate programs related to nanotechnology in 27
also of a long-term national project in an activity that is institutions and at least a dozen of bachelor programs on
supposed to be strategic for the country and its people:
science and technology development.6 Table 1
Afliated researchers to the N&N national network (2010 and 2011).
In the case of N&N, such diagnostic is valid despite the
CONACYTs initiative to conform a Nanoscience & Nano- Entity 2010 2011 Total afliated
technology National Network (N&NNN) to foster the gen- UNAM 51 18 69
eration of synergies and better use of resources. However, CIMAV-CONACYT 17 34 51
Other CONACYT Centres 21 16 37
this doesnt mean that nothing has been done; indeed
IPN 2 34 36
some steps have been taken. UAM 3 4 7
UANL 6 7 13
UASLP 2 6 8
BUAP 6 1 7
UACJ 1 4 5
5 U. Veracruzana 2 2 4
For an internal appraisal of the park, its vulnerabilities, challenges
UADG 3 1 4
and potentialities (including regional bi-national synergies) prepared by
UACH 3 0 3
the USA Consulate in Monterrey, read: www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.
U. SONORA 3 0 3
php?id09MONTERREY456. A similar note on the Tijuana corridor (see
Other Entities 9 20 29
Fig. 1) can be found at: www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?
Total 129 147 276
id09TIJUANA774.
6
A national regulation and plan on S&T development was operative in
Mexico until the decade of 1970 when the Law for the Promotion of S&T
Research was approved followed by the creation of the National Council
on Science and Technology. The rst effort to coordinate efforts nation
wide were done until January of 1985 with the approval of the Law for the
Coordination and Promotion of Scientic and Technological Development. By
June 2002 such law was abrogated and replaced by the Science and
Technology Law and the regulations for the operation of the CONACYT (read:
Ref. [6]). The latest reforms to that law took place in January of 2011 in
which for the rst time a long-term planning approach was established in
order to transcend the typical sexennial planning (which corresponds to
the federal elections). A 25 years window was then established for
planning and promoting S&T with an actualization, every 3 years, of the
Special Programme on Science, Technology and Innovation (part of the
regulatory framework of the S&T Law). To note is that each state has in
addition its own law and regulations for the promotion of S&T. Source: own elaboration based on N&NNNs internal database.

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
6 G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112

Fig. 2. Areas of research of the N&N National Network Afliates. Source: authors elaboration based on N&NNNs internal database.

N&N (Gonzlez, Jesus. N&NNN. Mexico, 2011. Personal Mexicos technology balance of payments has been
communication; www.labnano.unam.mx). increasingly negative. In 1990 it was already on negative
It remains to be seen what progress is made and what numbers with307 million dollars. By 2009 it declined
types of innovation schemes are stimulated in the case of even more to1945 million dollars (www.inegi.org.mx). At
N&N. The challenge is greater given that despite the the same time manufacturing export oriented infrastruc-
regional-local potentials and the historic opportunities to ture (maquila) and S&T related services have blossom from
participate in important technological waves, Mexicos about 150 industrial parks in 1988, to 350 in 1998 and up to
scientic-technological subordination, dependency, and 451 in 2010 [43]; (www.contactopyme.gob.mx; www.
delayed development are overwhelming. parquesindustriales.org.mx). Mexico is now one of the
The estimated number of patents granted by Mexico major exporters (or maquilador country) of at panels
conrms this situation: the country contributes with less and electro domestics (mainly refrigerators) with not a
than 0.2% of patents worldwide, and this gure doesnt single Mexican company for the rst case and just one big
reect relevant aspects such as the type of patents, the monopoly for the second (Mabe), a company that heavily
majority of which are improvements or technological ad- depends on technological transfer and patents from Gen-
aptations of foreign innovations [11]. Furthermore, ac- eral Electric (USA).
cording to 2009 data, 97.7% of patents granted in Mexico To add, royalties and licensing rights also reect such a
were awarded to non-residents. See Table 2. weak S&T structure in Mexico. In 2005 those accounted for
The situation outlined above clearly follows the patterns about 0.70 USD per person, compared to 3.30 USD in Chile
of the majority of developing countries, which in the best of and 191.50 USD in the USA.
cases are important exporters of scientists, growing im- The stated above suggests that nanotechnology as such
porters of technology, and essentially assembly sites. Again, might not make any difference if a more articulated and
gures for Mexico corroborate this assertion. The country funded governmental long term planning for S&T devel-
exported between 30% and 35% of graduated students, opment (which should include private actors) is not actu-
contributing with the 6% of the worldwide graduated stu- ally set in motion and focused on solving national needs.
dents mobilised by Latin America [64].
4. IP and regulatory aspects of nanotechnology:
Table 2
implications for Mexico
Patents granted to selected Latin American countries 2009.
Legal aspects related to technological innovation are
Country Residents Non-residents Total
oriented, on one side, to protect generated knowledge in a
Colombia 20 458 478
way that recognizes and benets the inventors, while at the
Mexico 213 9416 9629
Argentina 248 1106 1354 same time and as much as possible not affecting or limiting
Brazil 529 2249 2778 scientic-technological advancement of interest. However,
Venezuela 7 91 98 it is true that such scheme serves to maintain existing
Latin America & the Caribbean 1797 19,111 20,908 asymmetries of technological innovation and dependency.
Source: own elaboration based on RICYT database (www.ricyt.org). Penalty structures or other types of legal padlocks are

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112 7

therefore established, which in the majority of cases limit that it is such a new niche, just forming and therefore in
access to key technological advancements for developing constant change.
countries or other lesser or scientically and technolog- One such issue may be as elemental as the denition of
ically weak actors [13,32]. what is and what is not a patentable nanomaterial or nano-
On the other side, legal instruments serve also to dene metric system (here it could be mentioned the discussion of
regulations designed to stimulate lines of research and/or designed nanomaterials versus those existing in nature).
discourage others; to establish guidelines on quality, cer- For the USA and Europe, after several years of debate on
tication, and responsibilities and possible sanctions for this particular point, nanomaterials have been generally
(deliberate) improper use of the technology or for failures dened (for IP purposes) as those entities smaller than
of the scientic-technological system itself, which may or 100 nm susceptible of physical, chemical or biological ef-
may not be previously calculated. fects which introduce novel properties and functions.7
Considering the above, the need to discuss N&N legal Debate currently revolves around the issue that it appears
aspects responds not only to the regulation and desirable that nanostructures exist of a few tens or hundreds of
management of a new technological development (from a nanometers in size that also have unique characteristics or
perspective applicable to all technology), but especially to properties. If this is the case, they could be patentable as
the identication of issues that demand specic consider- conventional material or innovations and not strictly
ations, tools, and ad hoc measures. speaking as nanopatents. What type of implications may
Below are briey reviewed the rst type of legal aspects, this have in terms of management and clarication of re-
more related to IP issues and from a point of view of the sponsibilities, for example, regarding the standardization
challenges implied for Mexico. Afterwards, some legal/ and safe use of these materials in the spheres of production
regulatory aspects being adopted or discussed in Mexico and commercialization? One may ask.
are exposed. Another difculty encountered in the intellectual prop-
erty protection process has been the location of patents in
4.1. IP issues and its implications for Mexico the global databases. A further issue arises from the fact that
the concept of nanotechnology is relatively new (gaining
From the outset, an interesting question is posed by the use beginning in the 1990s), which nevertheless does not
acceptability of a patent on an object that exists at the mean that manipulation and scientic-technological ad-
macro or micro scale but that it is now made at the nano- vances at that scalereferred to as very smalldid not
scale. Even more complex is whether signicant differences occur before then.
in fact exist between a micro-electro-mechanical system For all of the above, the EPO and the USTPO established
(MEMS) and a nano-electro-mechanical system (NEMS). In tags or classes intended to facilitate the cataloguing of the
both cases, the relevant issue from the legal-juridical range of applications of this highly interdisciplinary niche.
perspective is not the answer in itself, but whether cur- EPO introduced the Y01N tags to label nanotechnology
rent laws, i.e. patent laws, sustain and contain the neces- that in 2011 became B82Y tags. This is a system that
sary elements to express, resolve, and respond to and distinguishes between nanobiotechnology or nano-
facilitate the challenges and paradigms imposed by nano- medicine (B82Y5) and nanotechnology for optics (B82Y20)
technology ([5]: 17). or manufacture or treatment of nanostructures (B82Y40);
Patents probably are a key element of intellectual property among other areas or applications. USA implemented
rights protection. Of course one may talk about copyrights instead the Class 977 for nanotechnology and within more
(which only protect the functional aspects of the invention; than 250 cross-reference subclasses, each with its own
i.e. scientic literature nano-art, nanocircuit patterns) or denition (www.uspto.gov/web/patents/classication/uspc
industrial secrets (which serve to hide key information on 977/sched977.htm).
production processes and techniques, by prohibiting the Global data suggest that some 86,000 patent documents
actors involved from revealing such information). and around 20,000 les of nano-literature on intellectual
Patents must include two central parts: a written property of other types have been classied to date with
description and a set of proofs and arguments. The language such tags (www.epo.org/topics/issues/nanotechnology.
employed, concepts, examples, and other contents of the html). The high and daily-rising number of nanopatents
patent application are highly relevant given that they are indicates the imperative need to cross the work of the
generally decisive elements both for approval or rejection of
the application and to explore the possibility of making
(improper) use of the innovation without any royalty pay- 7
The European Patent Ofce denes nanotechnology as: .entities
ment due to gaps or errors in its preparation. This is with a controlled geometrical size of at least one functional component
because the system is operated by humans; the language is below 100 nm in one or more dimensions susceptible of making physical,
chemical or biological effects (www.epo.org/news-issues/issues/
limited and the patents-evaluators are not necessarily spe-
classication/nanotechnology). The United States Patent and Trademark
cialists and tend to be oversaturated with work and under Ofce dened nanotechnology as .research and technology develop-
pressure (corruption could be present as well). ment at the atomic, molecular or macromolecular levels, in the length of
As indicated by Ref. [5], a specic problem emerges in scale approximately 1100 nm range in at least one dimension, and that
the case of nanopatents: the fact that the concepts or provide a fundamental understanding of phenomena and materials at the
nano-scale and to create and use structures, devices and systems that
terms and their meanings are not necessary well under- have novel properties and functions because of their size (www.uspto.
stood and may transform over time. In the case of nano- gov/patents/resources/classication/class_977_nanotechnology_cross-
technology, this may occur in the very short term given ref_art_collection.jsp).

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
8 G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112

different patents ofces, in particular when we take into 4.2. Regulatory aspects in Mexico: human health and
account the three-to-six-year period dedicated to the pat- environment
ent approval/rejection process in addition to the usual de-
lays in the initial examination of applications.8 The properties of nanomaterials that are being taken
The speed at which patents are approved and subse- advantage of, for example their highly reactive surfaces and
quently validated in the worlds primary patents ofces is their capacity to cross through membranes, may result in
crucial, given the role they may play in unleashing strong signicant risks, in particular in relation to their potential
investments and future prots (in accordance with the logic high level of toxicity ([59]: 35). Environmental implications
of the market system). To this must be added the relevance in relation to said toxicity and to the biodegradability of
of the coordination with and among the International nanostructures and their effects on the health of the range
Standardization Organization (ISO) and its Technical Com- of species (including human), in both the short and the
mittee dedicated to nanotechnologies (TC 229) and the medium-to-long terms, are very signicant, given their
range of national standardization ofces. All of this is presumed probable interference in vital functions ([59]:
important in order to provide some guarantee to intellectual 45). The bioaccumulation and persistence of nanomaterials
property and provide technical comparability to in- across the food chain is an additional factor worthy of
novations (see: www.iso.org/iso/iso_cafe_nanotechnology. detailed observation.11 Several papers indeed have con-
htm). The objective is to reduce to a minimum the ambi- rmed, as well as claried, such worries ([4,31,35,
guities in concepts and terms, and in understandings and 36,45,49,50,52,62,65], among others).
precise delimitations of the borders of intellectual property In response to the mentioned before, the ISO Technical
rights, among other aspects.9 Committee 229 issued in 2008 a call for the development of
Implications for other worldwide patent ofces, such Best International Standards in Practices on Specications
as the Mexican one (Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad of (Nano)Materials in recognition of the need to develop
IndustrialIMPI), are clearly to catch-up the process international protocols to evaluate the toxicity and envi-
already set forward by the main leading patent ofces ronmental impacts of nanomaterials, including their
such as those of USA, Europe and Japan. The procedure in disposal and recycling. ISO TC 229 coordinates said task
Mexico however hasnt evolved yet into a national clas- under the leadership of delegations from the USA, Japan
sication system for nanotechnology, an aspect that pre- and Canada. The view held by this Committee is particu-
sumes at least a relative dependency on the mentioned larly noteworthy since it considers that:
leading international ofces and the guidelines estab-
... the occupational health and safety effects of new
lished through the World Intellectual Property Organiza-
nanomaterials are mostly unknown [.] As a conse-
tion (WIPO).
quence our abilities to accurately predict the impact of
IMPIs patents division, at least as publicly known, has
some nanomaterials exposures on worker health are
just support some universities and research institutions
limited at this time. In particular our abilities to measure
through implementing technical assistance centres and
nanoparticles in the workplace (or more generally) are
offering conferences and workshops, addressed to re-
limited by current technologies [.] In addition, the
searchers. This happens in a context in which more than a
capability of the human body to recognize and appro-
thousand nanotechnology patents have been registered in
priately respond to most nanomaterials is essentially
Mexico (several on nanoparticles, nanotubes and other
unknown at the moment. ([29]: 2)
nanomaterials) and dozens have already been granted.10
And if everything goes as expected, much more are to Since that declaration, research has expanded and even
come. regulatory measures have been discussed and in some cases
implemented as precautious measures (i.e. provisional
moratorium on the use of nanostructures in food) [see:
8
www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/cheprocedure.do?
The backlog in evaluation of patent applications in the U.S. by the
United States Trademark and Patent Ofce (USTPO), despite its army of
langen&reference2008/0002(COD). Also Ref. [28]].
approximately 5000 evaluators, was around 100,000 applications in In the case of Mexico, the Federal Government estab-
2006. The USTPO received 440,000 applications that year, of which it was lished in 2011 a Working Group on Regulations for Nano-
able to evaluate only 332,000 ([5]: 19). technology, conformed by policy makers, academics and
9
Added to this are the extraordinary measures placed into operation in
industry representatives. Acknowledging that the Mexican
the case of sensitive nanotechnological innovations, such as those for
military or intelligence use. The process is pursued in the same way as the
government has the responsibility to ensure the rights of
rest of patents but evaluators approved by the respective State security individuals to health protection and to a safe environment
apparatus handle it.
10
Mexican nanopatents registrations are of ample nature but the major
number are related to nanoparticles (139) and nanotubes (100) (Gonz-
11
lez, Jesus. N&NNN. Mexico, 2011. Personal communication). Nano-patents Certainly nothing can be generalized, because it is clear that the
granted to public entities totalized two dozens for the period 19912009. potential risk of a substance is normally related to the type of receiving
The Mexican Oil Institute and UNAM headed, followed by the Autono- organism, the magnitude and duration of exposure, the persistence of
mous University of Nuevo Leon, Autonomous University of Puebla, the material, its inherent toxicity, and the susceptibility or state of
Institute of Electric Research, among others [19]. Some of them have health of the recipient. In addition, in the case of nanomaterials, not
already hit the market such as a sanitizing gel, Virun, developed and only the above must be taken into account but also the type of nano-
tested by UAM, UNAM and CINVESTAV and commercialized by Gresmex, structure and its real characteristics, given that it may be a nanoparticle
or an antigrafti paint developed by UNAM and commercialized by of a given material but of a different size, which can drastically alter its
Comex, (now property of Sherwin Williams). properties.

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112 9

(through diverse legal provisions12), the Group considered risk assessment related to nanotechnologies without
that the Mexican legal framework already includes a excluding nonconventional ones [60].13
number of regulations useful as a rst approximation for Regarding this issue, nano-applications in food, cos-
nanotechnologies. However, some specic issues that still metics and health seem to be of greatest public concern as
needed further discussion and procedures, were identied showed by two public surveys carried out in seven Mexican
and consequently a set of guidelines were prepared and research institutions to a total of a thousand students and
nally adopted by the Federal Government. The motivation researchers.14 Food and cosmetics applications were the
was, furthermost distrusted (in terms of relative low expected
benets and the perceived potential risks). On the contrary
.to set up general guidelines for federal secretaries and
environmental applications, mainly green energy produc-
regulatory agencies, within their prescribed scopes of
tion, were the most trusted. Health applications were in-
action as appropriate, issue regulations on nanotech-
between as they were seen highly benecial but still po-
nologies in any of its applications, and on the products
tential risks and non-desirable effects were aspects of
and services containing or using nanomaterials pro-
concern [18,51].
duced directly or indirectly by humans, in any of the
As social perception is key for technology acceptance
stages along their life cycles [60].
(or repel),15 the Mexican Guidelines also support actions
The Guidelines on regulations for nanotechnologies for keeping the society informed, and particularly the
acknowledge that nanotechnology .poses potential risks consumers, on the contents of nanomaterials in the
both to human health and other living beings as well as to products accessible to them and its possible effects in the
the environment during the life cycle of their products. short, medium and long terms, as far as there be reliable
[Thus] Insufcient attention to these risks could result in information available, under the consideration that the
adverse effects to society [60]. Consequently, the proposed general interest supersedes the particular one [60]. In the
Guidelines are perceived as a rst step towards new regu- same sense, it addresses the need to promote and
lations, only when the existing regulatory framework consider the opinion from the society on technical, envi-
doesnt include them or does it in an insufcient way. ronmental, societal, economical, ethic and legal issues
The Guidelines are expected to help taking decisions concerning the regulations for development, marketing,
aimed at regulatory purposes based on sound technical and use and disposal of products and services based on
scientic evidences but, as its correctly pointed out, the nanotechnologies, and the attention to potential harmful
extent of such information may change according to the effects, with the support of diffusion of reliable informa-
scientic and technological advancements, and may vary tion on the topic (Ibid).
from almost totally unknown to full determination. For that All of the above certainly are good intentions and wishes
reason the guidelines will have to be revised at least once but in reality any concrete legal change is underway since
every 3 years. Likewise it is recognized the need of the Guidelines are non-binding and there are no imple-
requesting and preserving information from manufac- mentation mechanisms currently being developed. The
turers, distributors and traders about nanomaterials challenges ahead are then enormous. Specic regulations
located or intended to be located in the country. Such in- for nanotechnology are to be identied, drafted and
formation includes toxicology characteristics and corre-
sponding measures aimed for the mitigation, remediation
and relief in the event of exposure, cautions for the safety of
its handling, application and use, transportation, storage, 13
To highlight is that the central question of any serious risk evaluation
and disposal [60]. is the free ow of information on what is happening in the laboratories
Furthermore, the Guidelines are likely to be useful for and production or manufacturing centres. Its management is complex
addressing risk management activities taking into consid- given that much key information is considered condential under criteria
eration the relevant social, economical and ethical issues, such as industrial secrets, and in certain cases as sensitive matter given its
possible implications in relation to the advance and consolidation of the
where applicable; and to apply scientic methodologies for commercialization of nanotechnology as one sole front. This situation
poses certain difculties for the responsible management of the risk
(whatever that risk may be, in accordance with the precautionary prin-
ciple) while at the same time hampering the application of a regulatory
framework suitable to the complexity of nanotechnologies. In other
12 words, a regulatory framework that instead of assuming that everything
Provisions such as sanitary regulations and assessment of risks to
health (General Health Law and corresponding regulations); proper and is entirely under control, in fact recognizes the existence of uncertainty
safe waste management (General Law for Prevention and Integrated and possible risk.
14
Management of Waste); safe conditions for the life and health of workers It is relevant to precise that more than a half of the respondents didnt
(Federal Labor Law, Article 3 and in the General Health Law, Chapter V); know or didnt answer what nanotechnology is, however more than 75%
regulations for chemical, pharmaceutical, biological and food products agree to regulate nanoproducts and nanotechnology in general.
15
(Federal Law of Animal Health, Article 1), among others such as those Faced with such a situation, Roger Strand observes an atmosphere in
related to metrology and standardization (characteristics and/or speci- which, .while some suggest the need for a platform of strategic knowledge
cations that products and processes must have when they may be a risk on public perceptions through which said perceptions can be acted upon and
for peoples safety or damage human, animal or plant health, the envi- modied, others prefer to keep the case open regardless of whether the public
ronment and the labor environment, or for the preservation of natural has good or bad reasons to be opposed . emphasizing the need to under-
resources; and the information in labels, containers, packages and stand and learn based on analysis of the diverse perspectives that are present
advertising products and services for trade, health, ecological, quality, in the debate. The majority would tend to coincide, nevertheless, in that the
safety and hygiene, in order to provide information to the consumer or current situation of distrust between the public and the technological
user). establishment is highly undesirable and expensive [63].

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
10 G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112

negotiated. In within, more information will need to be use of products that integrate nanotechnology, and to
gathered and analysed carefully as potential inputs for regulate and protect the environment and the health of
policy advising, legal regulation and certainly to foster consumers and society in general in the face of possible
endogenous economic competitiveness. risks or undesirable outcomes.
Probably the most relevant step ahead is to go from soft A clear denition is needed too regarding how the scope
social management mechanisms like non-binding measures, and the real implications of nanotechnology should be
guidelines or codes, to strong social management mecha- communicated to both, policy and decision-makers and the
nisms such as a Mexican Federal Law of Nano-Security (and public in general. Decisions are as well crucial regarding
its corresponding binding regulations and implementation how to teach future generations of professionals about this
mechanisms). technological front, its potentiality and probable implica-
For that, a broad social dialogue and interdisciplinary tions, and to delimit and co-produce the type of ethics
studies on social, economic, ethical, legal and environ- demanded by the responsible advancement of technologies
mental aspects of nanotechnology will be necessary to as complex as nanotechnology, among other issues This is
gain social support and legitimacy. Strategic reports on applicable even when current actions that intent a better
such issues and on the state of the art of nanotech- understanding, education and communication of N&N in
nology will be fundamental too as experienced in some Mexico are taken into account since it seems that they are
developed countries ([20,26,28,34,42,56,57,59,61], among still not enough, not sufciently integrated and coordi-
others). nated, and even more, still need to prove that are going to
Concerning the management of risk, it clearly seems prevail, at least in the mid-term.16
desirable to increase expenditure in research on envi- In summary Mexicoas any other countryshould
ronmental and health implications and risks associated explore the most optimal paths of scientic-technological
with the range of nano-applications and nanomaterials, development in terms of long-term socio-environmental
at least of those developed by Mexican researchers. The benets and justice. While indeed the novel does produce
same should be requested to fabricants for the case of conicting reactions, what is true is that nanotechnology
those nano-products widely imported and which will be is not the exception: it will generate both positive
discarded in the country. All these are aspects that and negative outcomes, although the general feeling is
certainly need to be addressed in a coordinated smart that there will be more positive than negative results.
and fashion manner. For the case of national research on Accordingly, the issue is how to recognize and to res-
associated potential risks and implications, efforts could ponsibly and democratically assume both while doing it on
be promoted through specic funds allocated to the time.
N&NNN.

5. Conclusions Acknowledgements

In response to the promises and the uncertainties of This paper was carried out within the context of CEIICH-
nanotechnology, the most sensible approach from the UNAM research project No. 118244, LABnano SocioEco-
Mexican perspective appears to be its open and on-going nomic Laboratory on Nanosciences and Nanotechnology,
evaluation with the best and most diverse knowledge funded by the National Research Council of Mexico.
available. The importance of this lies in the possibility to
conform an ample body of knowledge, representative of
the complexity and diversity of the reality and that con-
tributes to a collective understanding of the facts and in- 16
In addition to the activities of the N&NNN (www.nanored.org.mx),
commensurabilities. Such enterprise requires, among other the Mexican participation at the ISO TC 229 group, and those of the
aspects, a distinction between real knowledge of the po- Working Group on Regulations for Nanotechnology that prepare the
above mentioned Guidelines, there are other actions of greater social
tential risks and implications and mere subjective percep-
impact. There are at least four big meetings on N&N in Mexico annually:
tions, not only in the case of the agenda of the public in NanoMonterrey, NanoMex, Nanotech and DINANO. Efforts to integrate
general, but of those of all the interest groups. them in one or two events are currently on their way. Mundo Nano, a
Because of the later, it seems important to advance to- Mexican interdisciplinary journal on N&N, edited by UNAM, has been
wards a modality of communication and active dialogue published since 2008 (www.mundonano.unam.mx). Also other working
networks were lunched such as nanoUNAM (www.ceiich.unam.mx/
more and more integrative and therefore less exclusionary. nanomex2010/nanounam.php); nanoUAM (www.nanocienciasuam.com.
The exercise should consider not only potential benets mx), REGINA (www.nano.unam.mx) and ReLANS (www.relans.org). An
and risks but also reections on whether in fact it is Iberoamerican network for education and communication of N&N,
necessary to develop nanotechnology in the country, in nanoDYF (www.nanodyf.org) was created in 2010. Its rst report of ac-
tivities and results, including those of Mexico, was published in Mundo
exchange for what other technologies or social expenditure
Nano (Vol. 4. No. 2. 2011). Likewise an on-line SocioEconomic Laboratory
options, and if the case may be, to what level and in which on N&N (LABnano) was lunched in 2012 (www.labnano.ceiich.unam.mx).
areas of knowledge and applications, so as to assure the Besides news and public perception analysis, a database of basic N&N
most optimal use of resources available in relation to capabilities in Mexico, and strategic reports on N&N on specic issues,
Mexicos most pressing social needs. LABnano produces short videos on diverse issues of N&N research and
development in Mexico with the goal of reaching a broader audience.
The consequent need then arises, as argued before, to Other efforts, including interdisciplinary curricula for N&N bachelor
dene who is responsible, both to stimulate scientic- programs (e.g. UNAM case) or the publication of printed material for kids
technological innovation and the commercialization and (PUMITA/nanoUNAM-CNyN case), are as well being promoted.

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112 11

References [26] Hett Ammabelle. Nanotechnology: small matter, many unknowns.


Switzerland: Swiss Reinsurance Company; 2004.
[1] Arnaldi S, Delgado GC, Piccinni M, Poletti P, editors. Nanomedicina. [27] Hornyak Gabor L, Tibbals HF, Joydeep Dutta, Moore John J. Intro-
Entre polticas pblicas y necesidades privadas. Mexico: CEIICH- duction to nanoscience. USA: CRC Press; 2008.
UNAM; 2011. [28] House of Lords. Nanotechnologies and food, vols. 1 and 2. UK: Sci-
ence and Technology Committee; January, 2010.
[2] Altmann Jrgen. Military nanotechnology: potential applications
and preventive arms control. London/New York: Routledge; 2006. [29] ISOInternational Standardization Organization. Health and safety
[3] Arvidsson Rickard. Contributions to emission, exposure and risk practices in occupational settings relevant to nanotechnologies. ISO/
assessment of nanomaterials. Gothenburg, Sweden: Chalmers Uni- TR 12885; 2008.
versity of Technology; 2012. [30] ISOInternational Standardization Organization. Guidance on the
labelling of manufactured nano-objects and products containing
[4] Bachand G, Allen A, Bachand M, Achyuthan K, Seagrave J, Brozik S.
Cytotoxicity and inammation in human alveolar epithelial cells manufactured nan-objects. Draft Technical Specication. ISO/DTS.
following exposure to occupational levels of gold and silver nano- 13830.Switzerland; 2010.
particles. J Nanoparticle Res 2012;14:1212. [31] Jastrzebska A, Kurtycz P, Olszyna A. Recent advances in grapheme
[5] Boucher Patrick. Nanotechnology: legal aspects. USA: CRC Press; family materials toxicity invetigations. J Nanoparticle Res 2012;14:
2008. 1320.
[6] Cabrero E, Valads D, Lpez-Aylln S. El diseo institucional de la [32] Johnson Chalmers. The sorrows of empire. USA: Metropolitan;
2004.
poltica de ciencia y tecnologa en Mxico. Mexico: Instituto de
Investigaciones Jurdicas-UNAM; 2006. [33] Kjolberg K, Delgado GC, Wickson F, Strand R. Models of governance
[7] CDRSEHSAENCommittee to Develop a Research Strategy for Envi- for converging technologies. J Technology Anal Strateg Management
ronmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials. January, 2008;20:8397. Routledge, United Kingdom.
A research Strategy for environmental, health and safety aspects of [34] Lin Patrick, Allhoff Fritz, editors. Nanotechnology and society. Cur-
rent and emerging ethical issues. USA: Springer; 2009.
Engineered nanomaterials. Washington, D.C., US: National Research
Council. National Academies; 2012. [35] Lin W, Yi X, Huang C, Ma Y, Shannon K, Chen D, et al. Toxicity of
[8] Chen Hsinchun, Roco Mihail. Mapping nanotechnology innovations nano- and micro-sized ZnO particles in human lung epithelial cells. J
and knowledge. USA: Springer; 2009. Nanoparticle Res 2009;11(1):2539.
[9] Cientca. Nanotechnology opportunity report. 3rd ed.; 2008. USA. [36] Lovern Sarah B, Klaper Rebecca. Daphinia Magna mortality when
exposed to totanium dioxide and fullerene (C60) nanoparticles. USA
[10] CIMAV-SE-FUNTEC. Diagnstico y Prospectiva de la Nanotecnologa
en Mxico. Mexico; February 2008. Environ Toxicol Chem 2006;25(4):11327.
[37] Lux Research. The nanotech report. Investment overview and
[11] Delgado-Ramos Gian Carlo. Nanotecnologa, economa y sociedad:
retos y paradigmas desde una perspectiva del caso mexicano. In: market research for nanotechnology. New York, USA; 2006.
Takeuchi Noboru, editor. Nanociencia y nanotecnologa. Panorama [39] Malsch Ineke. Ethics and nanotechnology. Netherlands: Malsch
actual en Mxico. Mexico: CEIICH/CNyN/nanoUNAM-UNAM; 2011. TechnoValuation; 2011.
p. 22150. [40] Maynard A. Nanotechnology: a research strategy for addressing
risk. USA: Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars;
[12] Delgado-Ramos Gian Carlo. Economic and political aspects of
nanotechnology governance in Latin America: the case of Mexico. 2006.
In: Kjolberg Kamilla, Wickson Fern, editors. Nano goes macro. Social [41] Mikkelsen S, Hansen E, Christensen TB. Survey on basic knowledge
perspectives on nanoscience and nanotechnology. United Kingdom: about exposure and potential environmental and health risks for
Pan Stanford Publishing; 2010. selected nanomaterials. Project No. 1370 2011. Denmark: Danish
Ministry of the Environment. Environmental Protection Agency;
[13] Delgado-Ramos Gian Carlo. Guerra por lo Invisible. Negocio, impli-
caciones y riesgos de la nanotecnologa. Mexico: CEIICH, UNAM; 2011.
[42] Miller Georgia. Nanomaterials, sunscreens and cosmetics: small
2008.
[14] Delgado-Ramos Gian Carlo. El paradigma econmico de la nano- ingredients, big risks. Australia/USA: Friends of the Earth; May
tecnologa. Comercio Exterior July 2007;57(7). ISSN: 0185-0601: 2006.
54661. Bancomext. Mexico. [43] Morales Josena. Mxico: Tendencias recientes en la geografa in-
[15] Delgado-Ramos Gian Carlo. Sociologa Poltica y Geoeconoma de la dustrial. Mexico: Instituto de Geografa-UNAM; 2005.
[44] NATO. The security implications of nanotechnology. NATO Parlia-
nanotecnologa: el caso de Europa. Realidad Econmica. No. 224.
ISSN0325-1926. Buenos Aires, Argentina: IADE; 2006a. p. 84102. mentary Assembly; 2005. On line: www.nato-pa.int/Default.asp?
[16] Delgado-Ramos Gian Carlo. Nano conceptions: a sociological insight SHORTCUT677.
of nanotechnology conceptions. J Philos Sci L 2006b;6. USA. [45] Nazarenko Y, Zhen H, Han T, Lioy P, Mainelis G. Nanomaterial
[17] Delgado GC, Magaa EL. Dialogo para el avance cientco y tecno- inhalation exposure from nanotechnology-based cosmetic
powders: a quantitative assessment. J Nanoparticle Res 2012;
lgico a la nanoescala. Mundo Nano. Revista Interdisciplinaria en
Nanociencias y Nanotecnologa JanuaryJune, 2012;5(1):83102. 14:1229.
[46] Nordmann Alfred. Converging technologies-shaping the future of
[18] Delgado GC, Pea J. Anlisis de percepcin sobre la nanociencia y la
nanotecnologa: el caso de la comunidad universitaria de la UNAM. European societies. Bruselas: European Comission; 2004.
Revista Interdisciplinaria en Nanociencias y Nanotecnologa. [47] Nordan Matthew. Nanotechnology: where does the US stand?. USA:
JanuaryJune, 2011;4(1):8597. Lux Research. Testimony before the House Committee on Sciences;
[19] DGEIDireccin General de Evaluacin Institucional. Catlogo de 29 June 2005.
[48] NSETNanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology Subcom-
patentes de invencin solicitadas. In: Publicadas en el Sistema de
Informacin de la Gaceta de la Propiedad Industrial del Instituto mittee. Risk management methods & ethical, legal and societal
Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial 1990 2009. Mexico: UNAM; implications of nanotechnology. National nanotechnology initative
2010. On line: www.dgei.unam.mx/patentes/catalogo_general.pdf. workshop. US, March 2031, 2010.
[20] EPAEnvironmental Protection Agency. EPA nanotechnology and [49] Oberdorster G, Sharp Z, Atudorei V, Elder A, Gelein R, Kreyling W,
et al. Translocation of inhaled ultrane particles to the brain. USA
the environment: applications and implications. Washington, USA;
August 2002. Inhal Toxicol 2004;16:43745.
[21] Electronics. Nanotechnology: a Realistic market assessment. Can- [50] Oberdorster G, Sharp Z, Atudorei V, Elder A, Gelein R, Lunts A, et al.
ada: Electronics Industry Market Research and Knowledge Extrapulmonary translocation of ultrane carbon particles
Network; 2010. following whole-body inhalation exposure of rats. USA J Toxicol
[22] Electronics. World nanomaterials. Canada: Electronics Industry Environ Health A 2002;65:153143.
Market Research and Knowledge Network; May, 2012. [51] Pea J, Mata JM. Anlisis de percepcin sobre la nanociencia y la
nanotecnologa: el caso de la comunidad universitaria de UAM,
[23] FAO/WHO. Joint FAO/WHO expert meeting on the application of
nanotechnologies in the food and agriculture sectors: potential food UDLAP e IPN. Revista Interdisciplinaria en Nanociencias y Nano-
safety implications. Available from: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/ tecnologa JulyDecember, 2012;5(2).
publications/2010/9789241563932_eng.pdf. [52] Poland CA, Dufn R, Kinloch I, Maynard A, Wallace WA, Seaton A,
[24] Foladori Guillermo. Participacin military estadounidense en la et al. Carbon nanotubes introduced into the abdominal cavity of
mice show asbestos-like pathogenicity in a pilot study. Nat Nano-
ciencia y tecnologa de Mxico. Revista Iberoamericana de Ciencia,
Tecnologa y Sociedad 19:129. technol 2008;3:4238. USA. July.
[25] Global Industry Analysts. Nanotechnology. A global industry [53] Renn Ortwin, Roco Mihail. Nanotechnology and the need for risk
outlook. USA; January, 2012. governance. J Nanoparticle Res 2006;8(23). Springer Science.

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005
12 G.C. Delgado-Ramos / Technology in Society xxx (2013) 112

[54] Roco Mihail. Nanotechnologys future. Scientic American; July 24, Interdisciplinaria en Nanociencias y Nanotecnologa 2012;5(2). July
2006. On line: www.scienticamerican.com/article.cfm?idnano December. Mexico.
technologys-future. [61] Shatkin Jo Anne. Nanotechnology health and environmental risks.
[55] Roco Mihail C, Bainbridge William S. Societal implications of USA: CRC Press; 2008.
nanoscience and nanotechnology. USA: National Science Founda- [62] Song Y, Li X, Du X. Exposure to nanoparticles is related to pleural
tion; March 2001. effusion, pulmonary brosis and granuloma. Eur Respir J September
[56] Roco Mihail C, Bainbridge William S. Converging technologies for 2009;34:55967.
improving human performance. USA: National Science Foundation; [63] Strand Roger. Estudios ELSA en nanociencia y nanotecnologa: una
2002. observacin metodolgica. In: Foladori, Invernizzi, editors. Nano-
[57] Roco Mihail C, Bainbridge William S. Nanotechnology: societal im- tecnologas disruptivas, Impactos Sociales de las Nanotecnologas.
plications maximizing benets for humanity. USA: National Mexico: Porra; 2006.
Nanotechnology Initiative; 35 December 2003. [64] UNESCO. Global education digest 2009. Comparing education sta-
[58] Roco Mihail, Mirkin Chad y, Hersam Mark. Nanotechnology research tistics across the world. Canada; 2009.
directions for societal needs in 2020. US: Springer; 2010. [65] Yang L, Watts DJ. Particle surface characteristics may play an
[59] Royal Society. The nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportu- important role in phytotoxicity of alumina nanoparticles. USA
nities and uncertainties. United Kingdom; 2004. Toxicol Lett August 2005;(158):12232.
[60] SESecretara de Economa (Mexico). Lineamientos para regu- [66] Zlsdorf Torben B, Christopher Coenen, Arianna Ferrari,
laciones sobre nanotecnologas para impulsar la competitividad y Ulrich Fiedeler, Colin Milburn, Matthias Wienroth. Quantum
proteger al medio ambiente, la salud y la seguridad de los con- engagements social reections of nanoscience and emerging tech-
sumidores (26 de Noviembre de 2012). Mundo Nano Revista nologies. Berlin/Amsterdam, Netherlands: Aka Verlag/IOS Press; 2011.

Please cite this article in press as: Delgado-Ramos GC, Nanotechnology in Mexico: Global trends and national implications for
policy and regulatory issues, Technology in Society (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2013.09.005

You might also like