The ‘Wicked’ Problem of Regulating Nanotechnologies : Local and Global Challenges

Ubiquitous in nature, regulation shapes decision-making and human behavior. Its impact can, as it has often been argued, encourage or stifle innovation, especially in relation to emerging technologies such as nanotechnologies. It is therefore not surprising that the regulatory debate in relation to nanotechnologies is highly contested. And as an increasing number of nanotechnology-based products make their way onto the market – in an environment of imperfect information – such debates have only intensified. The aim of this chapter is to introduce readers to the notion of regulation and illustrate how regulation in its many guises is currently being employed to govern nanotechnologies