Constructive Technology Assessment (CTA) of Nano-Biosensor: A Malaysian Case

The latest advancements in nanotechnology, biology, advanced materials, and photonics have produced the Nano-Biosensor—an analytical device comprising a biological recognition element and a transducer in spatial proximity, whereby a recognition event triggers a measurable signal at the nano-scale level. Its future survival very much depends on carefully planned research, which needs to be critically assessed for it to be viably forecast ed, monitored and controlled. However, measuring the potential impact of this technology is a double-bind problem: the technology needs to be developed and adopted widely for its impact to be measured, but by that time controlling or changing the technology is very difficult, i.e., a Collingridge dilemma. In addressing this issue, constructive technology assessment (CTA) was developed to assist in assessing the potential impact of emerging technologies. This paper presents the results of collected qualitative data through CTA interviews performed on respondents in a research institute of a local university located in the Northern part of Malaysia, who are actively involved in new nanotechnology applications development related to Nano-Biosensors.Through convenience sampling, the selected respondents had highlighted several issues, namely sensitivity issues of Nano Biosensors,the local research spearheading the Nano-Biosensor advancement, and the potentially bright future regarding the further advancements in this field. It was concluded that the Nano-Biosensor can potentially remain in the forefront of nanotechnology development in Malaysia, since it is an enabling technology that impacts across industries and sectors at various points in the supply chain, not only in Malaysia, but also at the global stage