Nanotechnology
Big issues on a nano-scale

Nanotechnology is fast becoming one of the most significant advancements in the ever-evolving technological revolution, and possibly the most powerful known to humans.

The future of nanotechnology is exciting and fascinating, with speculation to all its infinite and innovative possibilities almost inconceivable. Many people believe that nanotechnology will change the fundamental way in which we live.

WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?
Nanotechnology is nano-scale engineering that takes apart and rebuilds nature at the molecular and atomic level, potentially changing the properties of matter and the way it behaves. For example, some solids, such as gold, liquidise at room temperature; opaque substances, like copper, become transparent; inert materials like platinum become catalysts; and stable materials, such as aluminium, become combustible.

A nanometre is one billionth of a metre, and nano-scale refers to particles or components of 100 nanometres or less.

Nanotechnology is multidisciplinary, drawing from all sciences, including biology, chemistry, applied and device physics, materials science, colloidal science, as well as mechanical and electrical engineering.

USES AND BENEFITS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
There are already a number of everyday products available containing nanomaterials. Some current uses include UV-resistant coatings for furniture, wood and bottle coatings, stain-resistant clothing, food packaging films, suntan lotions and cosmetics, as well as low-energy lighting solutions.

Scratchproof window film that is self-cleaning or fabrics that control temperature are also available. Specialist automotive and aerospace components, a broad range of military applications, automatic catalyst converters, dental-binding agents, bio-imaging products, and disinfectant and anti-bacterial coating for walls all use nanotechnology

Future uses of nanotechnology are far-reaching, revolutionising everything from the transformation and construction of new materials to technological systems, devices, and organisms. Advances are likely in areas such as environmental remediation, renewable emission-free energy, health and medicine, cognitive sciences, agriculture, communications, as well as military devices.

Imagine self-repairing paints, or a computer the size of a blood cell that can transmit a patient’s health status without surgery. Genetic reprogramming to prevent aging or to defeat diseases like cancer and diabetes is a possibility, as are computers that connect to the human brain to improve memory. Nano-sized particles to mop up chemical spills are also feasible, as are nano-scale machinery that constructs atomically exact products.

CONCERNS REGARDING NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology is set to become the most powerful technological revolution yet, potentially changing the way we live and react in the environment around us. However, along with nanotechnology’s unlimited potential, are numerous issues that, if not addressed, could have serious social, health, environmental, and ethical consequences. Some of these concerns may seem extreme, but they are possible.

History demonstrates the initial stages of technological waves have a negative impact on the most marginalised people. New waves of technology usually results in massive job losses and displacement of industries. Those who do not have the means to retrain and those whose industries are displaced, will suffer economical and social hardship.

Consider the example of the rubber market, provided by the Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC Group). Research into nano-particles to strengthen and extend the life of car tyres and nanomaterials to replace rubber will have a devastating impact upon rubber tappers and plantation workers. Other raw resources industries, such as cotton and copper, will also be affected. Most of these raw industries are located in poorer countries where their people are already economically disadvantaged, and they will have no means to adapt to the changes.

Even in developed countries, disruption of trade will lead to job losses across most industries, especially in production processes because nanotechnology will require less human interaction.

Not only will the economic gap widen, so will the living standards of those unable to afford the nanotech products that promise to improve everyday living. On the other hand, those with the wealth and power will not only survive economic changes but will be the most likely beneficiaries of the changes.

While nanotechnology and nanoscience offer some positive health and environmental benefits, current toxicological evidence shows that nanoparticles can be detrimental to health.

Nanobiotechnology is working on incorporating living and non-living material at a nano-scale. Goals include creating new living material to perform industrial functions, drug delivery systems and blood chemistry monitors, as well as synthetic materials with biological components like protein-containing plastics.

However, the downside to this according to the ETC Group is that the human body is unable to detect nano-scale foreign particles, so they may slip past our immune system, possibly crossing the blood-brain barrier, with unknown consequences.

Relying less on raw materials, using more efficient, less polluting manufacturing methods, or designing bacteria to clean up after ecological disasters, such as oil spills, has definite environmental advantages, if everything goes according to plan. However, previous experiences, such as the inability to contain genetically modified organisms and the recent foot and mouth outbreak in the United Kingdom (which has been attributed to ineffective handling of the disease by a laboratory), signals the need for extreme caution.

On an individual atomic and molecular level, nanoparticles are very different to their larger counterparts, which is one the benefits of nanotechnology. This is also problematic because the behaviour of matter may be unpredictable, especially when producing hybrid organisms by merging living and non-living matter. While self-replicating nano-bots taking over the earth is highly unlikely, can scientists ensure that a newly created biological matter be contained and controlled?

While in most countries, nanomaterials would come under governance of some safety laws, there are calls from many bodies, such as the ETC Group, Friends of the Earth and the Royal Society, for specific regulations for nanotechnology. There are no specific laws anywhere in the world for safety testing of nanomaterials, no labelling requirements for products containing nanoparticles, no specific regulation of occupational exposure, nor any specific laws to prevent environmental harm and management of environmental releases.

Ethical issues are also a major concern, crossing social, health, and environmental factors. Elements are naturally existing products, but once manipulated at atomic level, they can be patented, leading to corporate control of all the earth’s basic elements. Patents and corporate control often denies the most marginalised people access to the very products that could potentially improve their lives.

For example, there is already enough food available to feed the world and prevent hunger, but technologies are unable to solve the economical, social, and political inequalities surrounding hunger.

Likewise, nanotechnology is unlikely to improve the health of those who cannot afford it. If anything, nano medicine will create a bigger division in those with economical access to optimum health technology and those who do not.

If computers can improve our memory, will it be a mandatory requirement in the workforce to link our brains up to a computer, regardless of our wishes? On an educational level, students who cannot afford the technology will be left behind, affecting not only their schooling but also future prospects.

Another proposition is that nanotechnology could be misused to determine collective behaviour, for social surveillance, and to control or correct democratic dissent. A nano arms race, with nano-biological weapons may determine political power in the future.

Nanotechnology offers numerous advantages across all industries. Green manufacturing, new and better drug delivery, improved and less invasive medical diagnosis, less reliance on fossil fuels, the ability to clean up the environment and less dependence on raw materials are some positive outcomes that nanotechnology offers. However, the negative issues need addressing, and real solutions found, preferably during the development of the nano revolution.

References Available