Nanotechnologies : l’espace civique des risques technologiques redimensionné

Nanotechnology, a reshaped civic sphere of technological risks

Information-communication, CERTOP, UMR 5044 (CNRS, UTM, UPS), 31077 Toulouse cedex 4, France

Auteur correspondant : P. Chaskiel, patrick.chaskiel@univ-tlse3.fr

Reçu : 5 Septembre 2012
Accepté : 7 Novembre 2013

Résumé

Relativement peu abordé sous l’angle des risques par les recherches en sciences humaines et sociales, le thème des nanotechnologies présente cependant une originalité majeure : il révèle une reconfiguration de l’espace civique des risques technologiques, c’est-à-dire des discussions tendues vers la formation d’exigences universalisables, sur la protection de l’environnement et de la santé. Cette reconfiguration suit trois directions. La première est celle de l’européanisation civique (l’Europe sociale, d’une certaine façon) amorcée par le règlement REACH et la construction conjointe de demandes, associatives et syndicales, sur la protection du travail et de l’environnement. La seconde, observable en France, est celle du dépassement des conflits travail/citoyenneté en raison d’une convergence, de fait, entre syndicalisme et mouvement associatif. La troisième est celle d’un désenchantement accéléré de la recherche scientifique, de plus en plus interrogée, y compris dans des dimensions académiques.

Abstract

Although little addressed from the risk angle by Social sciences, the theme of nanotechnology nevertheless offers a major interest by highlighting the emergence of a new civic sphere of technological risk, i.e. where free discussions on an equal footing are developing potentially universal demands regarding environmental and health protection. This process takes three directions: first that of a Europe-wide social process that relies on formal discussions between NGOs and Workers Unions. Initiated by negotiations for the EU Reach regulation, this process continues with the formulation of common claims to regulate “nanos”. This means in particular that NGOs and Unions are developing not only similar but also joint claims on safety at work and environment protection. Second, in France Unions and NGOs have overcome their tensions and conflicts about technological risks, which were regularly observed in the case of nuclear or chemical problems. Although they do not discuss together, their claims are mainly compatible now that precaution has become a shared basis for demands. Third, the civic sphere of technological risks referred strongly to scientific research which so far was usually respected. Research in nuclear physics for instance has not been challenged by antinuclear movements. Scientific research, however, is growing increasingly “disenchanted” as the civic sphere now claims a say on basic scientific research orientations. Faced with a demanding civic sphere, decision makers as a result hesitate to promote an over rapid development of nanotechnology.