Ethics Policy

Izon has developed a nanotechnology in an area known as Tunable Resisitve Pulse Sensing (TRPS). It is a “disruptive technology” in the sense that TRPS has the potential to render obsolete existing technologies used in particle analysis.
TRPS is a “platform technology”, meaning that it can be used for many different applications, including industrial, medical and biotechnology applications.
Nanotechnology, in and of itself, is neither good nor evil. It is how nanotechnology is applied that makes it one or the other.
Izon encourages all users of TRPS to apply the technology only for the good of humanity. Izon has adopted this Code of Ethics with that objective in mind. Izon strongly encourages all users of TRPS to adhere to the basic tenets in this Code of Ethics.
This Code of Ethics is gender neutral. Any reference to the masculine shall be deemed a reference to the feminine.
The overriding test is whether a particular application of TRPS advances science for the “public good”.
The “public good” is a subjective test, meaning different things to different people, the criteria below lend some objectivity in terms of what Izon perceives as being the “public good”.
Izon respects the inherent right of all human beings to their privacy and personal dignity.
Izon shall treat all persons with compassion, respect for their human dignity and human rights. Izon shall respect their welfare, rights, beliefs and customs.
Izon strongly believes in “free will” and “informed consent”. Izon will not undertake any project involving a person against his wishes or involving a person who has not given his informed consent. Izon will not undertake any project involving a person who is an unsuspecting participant unless his identity is not known to Izon .
Izon shall be particularly considerate of the rights of children and adults who, for whatever reason, are not able to give an “informed consent” and Izon shall comply with the relevant legal requirements in these situations.
If an Izon scientist reasonably believes that the safety, health or welfare of the public is compromised or endangered by his use of TRPS, he must stop engaging in such use and raise his concerns to the Izon Board of Directors. If the Izon scientist is not satisfied that the Izon Board of Directors has adequately addressed his concerns, he is encouraged to bring his concerns to the attention of the relevant public authority.
Izon shall treat all personal data, particularly data affecting an individual’s personal safety, privacy or dignity, with the highest degree of confidentiality. It shall not reveal facts, data or information about any person, except with such person’s consent or as required by law.
Izon shall employ appropriate data security and storage procedures commensurate with the sensitivity of such data, which procedures shall be no less secure than procedures applicable to the same or similar data collected by any other means. Access to data shall be restricted to authorized individuals.
Izon shall retain data for such period as will allow the verification of results and assessment.
If human biological samples are to be stored for future use, subjects must be advised of this fact. They should be informed of the nature of the storage, that is, if the samples will be identifiable, potentially identifiable, or de-identified. They should also be informed of the duration of the storage. While it is appropriate to ask them to consent to unspecify future uses, they should be given the opportunity to refuse permission for future research use. If they do refuse, the material should not be utilized for another research purpose.
Izon believes that all known risks should be fully disclosed. Izon shall never attempt to conceal, mislead, distort or downplay the risks involved in any project, whether to the individuals involved or to the wider public.
Izon shall always be honest, truthful and transparent, accurately depicting all phenomena. Its scientists shall adhere to the highest principles of ethical conduct on behalf of the public, clients, employees and the profession.
Izon scientists must comply will all relevant laws and regulations governing their activities. If they are in doubt as to their legal responsibilities, they should seek clarification from Izon . This Code of Ethics shall guide Izon and its staff. Izon strongly encourages ALL users of its technologies to follow the spirit and intent of this Code of Ethics. However, Izon cannot accept responsibility for any use of its technologies by persons outside its organisation, over which it has no control.
Nanotechnology is a relatively new field, which is undergoing rapid change. Therefore, Izon reserves the right to modify this Code of Ethics as circumstances may warrant to address new ethical issues or to modify its position on existing ethical issues.