Responsible innovation of nuclear energy technologies: Social experiments, intergenerational justice and emotions

In this chapter, we argue for broadening the approach of responsible innovation in two respects. First, we contend that responsible innovation should be seen as an ongoing process that continues after the initial development of a new technology; it comprises a technology’s use, its implementation and the end of its life cycle. Second, we argue for taking emotions more seriously in responsible innovation. Sympathy and feelings of responsibility (for instance) can provide moral insights, and thus they should no longer be dismissed as irrational distractions in debates about new technologies. We support these two claims by focusing on responsible innovation in regard to nuclear energy technologies. In addition to the two reforms mentioned above, we believe that for such technologies – and for other technologies with very long-term risks – the value of intergenerational justice needs to be explicitly included in the decision-making. Our argument has direct implications for nuclear power policies. These proposed reforms would help society to move beyond the usual stalemate in the debate about nuclear energy.