Abstract:

The nanotechnology industry is predicted to be capable of rivaling the biotechnology industry and even perhaps forecasted to be at par with information communication technology (ICT) by 2014. Its forecasted impact is slowly blurring out the lines that separate reality with fantasy, as evidenced by various products, but this research focuses on the Nano-Biosensor products, which is being currently researched here in Malaysia in several institutions that focus on the different components that make up the Nano-Biosensor. However, it must be pointed out here that although the research into the materials and applications of these materials is paramount to the growth of this promising industry, there must also be research into the feasibility and management of this industry, in order for it to be forecasted, monitored, and controlled, and thus aid in the betterment of mankind. Measuring the potential impact of a technology is basically a Collingridge dilemma, which is a double-bind problem where impacts of a technology cannot be easily predicted until the technology is extensively developed and adopted, and the control or change of a technology is very difficult once it has been extensively developed and adopted. In order to address these issues, a technique called technology assessment (TA) has been developed to assist in evaluating these emerging technologies. Narrowing down to CTA, CTA initiatives would attempt to broaden the design of new technology through feedback of TA activities into the actual construction of the technology, which is contrary to other forms of TA, where CTA is not directed toward influencing regulatory practices by assessing the impacts of technology, but rather, CTA wants to address social issues around the technology by influencing design practices. Due to the technical nature of Nano-Biosensor, CTA has been proposed as the core topic for this research endeavor. Data were collecting using a qualitative method that was performed on respondents that are actively involved in the development of new nanotechnology applications, especially relating to Nano-Biosensors. Using convenience sampling, the respondents identified were located in a research institute of a local university, located in the Northern part of Malaysia. It was revealed that there were several issues that were uncovered and presented in the results of this paper. The persistence of Nano-Biosensor in the broader context of the nanotechnology development in Malaysia can be seen as paramount, since it has been identified as the enabling technology with potential industry-wide impact on other sectors not only in Malaysia, but also the rest of the world.