Technology assessment is the study and
evaluation of new technologies. It is based on the
conviction that new developments within, and discoveries
by, the scientific community are relevant for the world at
large rather than just for the scientific experts
themselves, and that technological progress can never be
free of ethical implications. Also, technology assessment
recognizes the fact that scientists normally are not
trained ethicists themselves and accordingly ought to be
very careful when passing ethical judgement on their own,
or their colleagues´, new findings, projects, or work in
progress.
Technology assessment assumes a global
perspective and is future-oriented rather than
backward-looking or anti-technological. ("Scientific
research and science-based technological innovation is an
indispensable prerequisite of modern life and civilization.
There is no alternative.
Technology assessment considers its task
as interdisciplinary approach to solving already existing
problems and preventing potential damage caused by the
uncritical application and the commercialization of new
technologies. Therefore any results of technology
assessment studies must be published, and particular
consideration must be given to communication with political
decision-makers.
[Source : Wikipedia]