ELSI is a field that distinguishes ethical, legal, and social issues as separate challenges and proposes research to address them. It was first introduced in 1990 as part of the Human Genome Project and has since spread to various fields such as nanotechnology, AI technology, and nuclear technology. ELSI is essential to maintaining the safety of research. Therefore, we need to predict the impact of this project on society and discuss countermeasures to prevent potential problems.

There are ethical issues with DNA origami. Maintaining the structure of DNA origami for a long time is difficult, and it needs to be replenished regularly. Our structure currently costs hundreds of thousands of yen to create. Therefore, if it is applied to the human body, there is a possibility that economic disparities will increase the problem of fairness in medical care. In addition, we need to consider the design method. Our structure can be developed into a more complex structure with more vertices, and AI technology may be used in the design stage. It is difficult for designers to fully understand AI design, and there is a possibility that they will not be able to deal with problems that occur. Since there are no laws regulating the use of AI, management is left to researchers. Therefore, it is necessary to create guidelines for AI use in molecular robotics.

Regarding legal issues, we need to consider regulation of DNA structure sales. Currently, DNA treatment as a gene is strictly regulated, so there are no problems. However, DNA without genetic information can be purchased by anyone. When DNA structures become popular and are sold as products, there is a risk that users will misuse them for purposes other than their intended use or cause environmental damage due to excessive use. Therefore, it is necessary to work on legal measures that assume use such as setting restrictions on purchasers of DNA as a nanomaterial or obligating them to obtain qualifications for production.

Molecular robotics is a field with great potential but is relatively new and unfamiliar to most people. Therefore, when our structures are actually used in society, there is a risk that people will be worried about incorrect information and that usage will become impossible due to rumors. Since we use DNA as a material, it can be easily confused with genetic research such as genetic modification in particular in Japan where many people have critical views on the safety of genetic technology such as genetically modified foods. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness for correct understanding of molecular robotics.