The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
There's clearly plenty to talk about when it comes to discussing the positive aspects of nanotechnology- life-saving developments in medicine, overcoming the worlds current environmental problems, other beneficial effects presented in this website and of course other positive additions which have not been mentioned on this website. It's also worth mentioning that there are new developments everyday which have yet to be documented or made publicly accessible. For me, having spent the last five months delving into the world of nanotechnology and what it's bringing to the table, the negatives would need to be highly weighted in order to sway my opinion that nanotechnology is anything other than brilliant! But there are certainly many sensible concerns surrounding nanotechnology, in particular the fate of nanoparticles. These may be particularly important if potential negative effects of nanoparticles are overlooked before they are released. Other points of thought in the positive/ negative discussion are mentioned below.
Positive
Efficiency and Environmental Friendliness
'Molecular Scale Manufacturing ensures that very little raw material is wasted and that we make only what we intend to make, no more. Factories begin to look more like clean rooms' Rogers, B Adams, J & Pennathur, S (2008) Nanotechnology Understanding Small Systems. Boca Raton: Taylor and Francis Group.
A study in 2007 details how nanomaterials can be created that are not only safe, but also cost less and perform better than conventional materials. "Green Nanotechnology: It's Easier Than You Think," was written by the Washington D.C. think tank, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The study, which is free online, is based on a series of dialogues with scientists, policymakers and industry representatives about green nanotechnology.
Financial Benefits for Countries involved in Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is expected to be a $2.6 trillion market by 2015.[30] Each country involved, including Ireland, have a bright financial future ahead when it comes to gaining money with nanotechnology. For us in Ireland nanotechnology has received excellent funding which is good to hear as nanotechnology could be a useful ploy in helping with our current national financial situation.
'Molecular Scale Manufacturing ensures that very little raw material is wasted and that we make only what we intend to make, no more. Factories begin to look more like clean rooms' Rogers, B Adams, J & Pennathur, S (2008) Nanotechnology Understanding Small Systems. Boca Raton: Taylor and Francis Group.
A study in 2007 details how nanomaterials can be created that are not only safe, but also cost less and perform better than conventional materials. "Green Nanotechnology: It's Easier Than You Think," was written by the Washington D.C. think tank, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The study, which is free online, is based on a series of dialogues with scientists, policymakers and industry representatives about green nanotechnology.
Financial Benefits for Countries involved in Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is expected to be a $2.6 trillion market by 2015.[30] Each country involved, including Ireland, have a bright financial future ahead when it comes to gaining money with nanotechnology. For us in Ireland nanotechnology has received excellent funding which is good to hear as nanotechnology could be a useful ploy in helping with our current national financial situation.
Negative
Weapons of War
On the instrumental level, concerns include the possibility of military applications of nanotechnology (for instance, as in implants and other means for soldier enhancement like those being developed at the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies at MIT) as well as enhanced surveillance capabilities through nano-sensors. There is also the possibility of nanotechnology being used to develop chemical weapons and because they will be able to develop the chemicals from the atom scale up, critics fear that chemical weapons developed from nano particles will be more dangerous than present chemical weapons.
Fear of the Unknown
Nanotechnology is quite a new concept and some effects are time dependent so it's difficult for experts to predict the damage nanoparticles might do. There are concerns about how nano-particles may accumulate in nature. Could large amounts be ingested by fish? And if so, would if be harmful? Would the particles be passed along the food chain like DDT. Thresholds need to be determined. It's vital to find out how to remove or simply detect nanomaterials if they become problematic.
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN), also Washington-based, says it has inventoried more than 600 consumer products in 20 countries with nano-scale materials, and "new nanotech products are hitting the market at the rate of three to four per week." The interest in nanomaterials is coming at a time of growing awareness of how chemicals – many of which we don't know are manufactured into the products we use on a daily basis – may be causing us harm.
What happens to nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles which are used quite a bit, for example is certain socks? In an experiment reported at the American Chemical Society meeting, two Arizona State University scientists, Troy Benn and Paul Westerhoff, washed seven brands of nanosilver socks and then tested the wastewater. All but one pair leaked silver.That silver, of course, ends up in our sewers, rivers and lakes. Results like this have strengthened the calls among scientists and environmentalists for a closer examination of nanoparticles and their effects on humans and the environment. You can find nanosilver in products from clothing and shoes to mattresses and pillows to appliances like Samsung's SilverCare washers, and Conair's Infiniti Nano Silver hair straighteners. The TTC also intends to paint the stanchions in its new subway cars with antimicrobial silver. Considering how quickly the market is expanding worldwide, scientists doubt that current regulations are sufficient. They also point out the lack of regulations that specifically address nanoparticles and say that not enough is being spent on their health effects. For the full article on this click here. [52]
Of the US$710 million spent in 2002 by the U.S. government on nanotechnology research, only $500,000 was spent on environmental impact assessments.
False Hype
Some worry that nanotechnology will end up like virtual reality -- in other words, the hype surrounding nanotechnology will continue to build until the limitations of the field become public knowledge, and then interest (and funding) will quickly dissipate.
On the instrumental level, concerns include the possibility of military applications of nanotechnology (for instance, as in implants and other means for soldier enhancement like those being developed at the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies at MIT) as well as enhanced surveillance capabilities through nano-sensors. There is also the possibility of nanotechnology being used to develop chemical weapons and because they will be able to develop the chemicals from the atom scale up, critics fear that chemical weapons developed from nano particles will be more dangerous than present chemical weapons.
Fear of the Unknown
Nanotechnology is quite a new concept and some effects are time dependent so it's difficult for experts to predict the damage nanoparticles might do. There are concerns about how nano-particles may accumulate in nature. Could large amounts be ingested by fish? And if so, would if be harmful? Would the particles be passed along the food chain like DDT. Thresholds need to be determined. It's vital to find out how to remove or simply detect nanomaterials if they become problematic.
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN), also Washington-based, says it has inventoried more than 600 consumer products in 20 countries with nano-scale materials, and "new nanotech products are hitting the market at the rate of three to four per week." The interest in nanomaterials is coming at a time of growing awareness of how chemicals – many of which we don't know are manufactured into the products we use on a daily basis – may be causing us harm.
What happens to nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles which are used quite a bit, for example is certain socks? In an experiment reported at the American Chemical Society meeting, two Arizona State University scientists, Troy Benn and Paul Westerhoff, washed seven brands of nanosilver socks and then tested the wastewater. All but one pair leaked silver.That silver, of course, ends up in our sewers, rivers and lakes. Results like this have strengthened the calls among scientists and environmentalists for a closer examination of nanoparticles and their effects on humans and the environment. You can find nanosilver in products from clothing and shoes to mattresses and pillows to appliances like Samsung's SilverCare washers, and Conair's Infiniti Nano Silver hair straighteners. The TTC also intends to paint the stanchions in its new subway cars with antimicrobial silver. Considering how quickly the market is expanding worldwide, scientists doubt that current regulations are sufficient. They also point out the lack of regulations that specifically address nanoparticles and say that not enough is being spent on their health effects. For the full article on this click here. [52]
Of the US$710 million spent in 2002 by the U.S. government on nanotechnology research, only $500,000 was spent on environmental impact assessments.
False Hype
Some worry that nanotechnology will end up like virtual reality -- in other words, the hype surrounding nanotechnology will continue to build until the limitations of the field become public knowledge, and then interest (and funding) will quickly dissipate.
Social Justice and Civil Liberties
''Those nations, governments, organizations, and citizens who are unaware of this impending power shift must be informed and enabled so that they may adequately adapt'' James Canton, President of the Institute for Global Futures, said of nanotechnology and its disruptive economical potential.
Social justice and civil libertiesConcerns are frequently raised that the claimed benefits of nanotechnology will not be evenly distributed, and that any benefits (including technical and/or economic) associated with nanotechnology will only reach affluent nations. The majority of nanotechnology research and development - and patents for nanomaterials and products - is concentrated in developed countries (including the United States, Japan, Germany, Canada and France). In addition, most patents related to nanotechnology are concentrated amongst few multinational corporations, including IBM, Micron Technologies, Advanced Micro Devices and Intel. This has led to fears that it will be unlikely that developing countries will have access to the infrastructure, funding and human resources required to support nanotechnology research and development, and that this is likely to exacerbate such inequalities.
The agriculture and food industries demonstrate the concentration of nanotechnology related patents. Patents over seeds, plant material, animal and other agri-food techniques are already concentrated amongst a few corporations. This is anticipated to increase the cost of farming, by increasing farmers' input dependence. This may marginalize poorer farmers, including those living in developing countries. Scrinis G, and Lyons K (2007). "The Emerging Nano-Corporate Paradigm and the Transformation of Agri-Food Systems". International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food 15.
Producers in developing countries could also be disadvantaged by the replacement of natural products (including rubber, cotton, coffee and tea) by developments in nanotechnology. These natural products are important export crops for developing countries, and many farmers' livelihoods depend on them. It has been argued that their substitution with industrial nano-products could negatively impact the economies of developing countries, that have traditionally relied on these export crops. [8]
It is proposed that nanotechnology can only be effective in alleviating poverty and aid development "when adapted to social, cultural and local institutional contexts, and chosen and designed with the active participation by citizens right from the commencement point" (Invernizzi et al. 2008, p. 132)
Social justice and civil libertiesConcerns are frequently raised that the claimed benefits of nanotechnology will not be evenly distributed, and that any benefits (including technical and/or economic) associated with nanotechnology will only reach affluent nations. The majority of nanotechnology research and development - and patents for nanomaterials and products - is concentrated in developed countries (including the United States, Japan, Germany, Canada and France). In addition, most patents related to nanotechnology are concentrated amongst few multinational corporations, including IBM, Micron Technologies, Advanced Micro Devices and Intel. This has led to fears that it will be unlikely that developing countries will have access to the infrastructure, funding and human resources required to support nanotechnology research and development, and that this is likely to exacerbate such inequalities.
The agriculture and food industries demonstrate the concentration of nanotechnology related patents. Patents over seeds, plant material, animal and other agri-food techniques are already concentrated amongst a few corporations. This is anticipated to increase the cost of farming, by increasing farmers' input dependence. This may marginalize poorer farmers, including those living in developing countries. Scrinis G, and Lyons K (2007). "The Emerging Nano-Corporate Paradigm and the Transformation of Agri-Food Systems". International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food 15.
Producers in developing countries could also be disadvantaged by the replacement of natural products (including rubber, cotton, coffee and tea) by developments in nanotechnology. These natural products are important export crops for developing countries, and many farmers' livelihoods depend on them. It has been argued that their substitution with industrial nano-products could negatively impact the economies of developing countries, that have traditionally relied on these export crops. [8]
It is proposed that nanotechnology can only be effective in alleviating poverty and aid development "when adapted to social, cultural and local institutional contexts, and chosen and designed with the active participation by citizens right from the commencement point" (Invernizzi et al. 2008, p. 132)
Robots Taking over the WorldBelieve it or not there is a very real fear out there of robots controlling the world one day. This is not as far removed as one might think as robots are becoming freakishly independent. Nanotechnology is playing a major role in the creation of these robots. Take a look at the video on the right made in February of this year which has gone viral. The video shows robots which are completely autonomous playing an eerie version of the James Bond theme tune on various instruments:
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Regulating Nanotechnology
Regulatory bodies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Health & Consumer Protection Directorate of the European Commission have
started dealing with the potential risks of nanoparticles. The organic food sector has been the first to act with the regulated exclusion of engineered nanoparticles from certified organic produce, firstly in Australia and the UK, and more recently in Canada, as well as for all food certified to Demeter International standards. [8]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates a wide range of products, including foods, cosmetics, drugs, devices, veterinary products, and tobacco products some of which may utilize nanotechnology or contain nanomaterials. Nanotechnology allows scientists to create, explore, and manipulate materials measured in nanometers (billionths of a meter). Such materials can have chemical, physical, and biological properties that differ from those of their larger counterparts.- FDA
started dealing with the potential risks of nanoparticles. The organic food sector has been the first to act with the regulated exclusion of engineered nanoparticles from certified organic produce, firstly in Australia and the UK, and more recently in Canada, as well as for all food certified to Demeter International standards. [8]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates a wide range of products, including foods, cosmetics, drugs, devices, veterinary products, and tobacco products some of which may utilize nanotechnology or contain nanomaterials. Nanotechnology allows scientists to create, explore, and manipulate materials measured in nanometers (billionths of a meter). Such materials can have chemical, physical, and biological properties that differ from those of their larger counterparts.- FDA
My Take on Nanotechnology Concerns
A concern which I have not encountered is that of good will and intentions in the nanotechnology 'industry'. There is so much money involved in nanotechnology and such profits to be made that I think there may be a problem with industries' goodwill. I think that because nanotechnology is on the fast track of combining specialized science and worldwide consumer goods that they may take advantage of the general public's lack of knowledge in the area. It's very important for everyone to be aware that there are concerns with the safety of the products which have yet to be sufficiently regulated. Where there are huge sums of money in question I would be skeptical that there isn't a hint of snobbery or possessiveness against the general public in the way of withholding trade secrets, trade secrets which may actually be required if regulations are to be sufficiently carried out. With a hint of this pretension; carbon nanotubes are poised to become a major traded commodity with the potential to replace major conventional raw materials. However, as their use expands, anyone seeking to (legally) manufacture or sell carbon nanotubes, no matter what the application, must first buy a license from NEC or IBM.
I think it is also worth mentioning a report I came across on e-paper (nanotechnology based) which details forecasts and markets of the product. None of this report was available to the public. In order to read this short report of 151 pages one must buy it in PDF or hard copy form for £2750!
''The total market size for e-paper displays in 2012 is $1.03 billion rising to $8.59 billion in 2022. Growth is predominately from demand of e-readers but other applications such as signage will become a substantial market.'' [53]
Personally this strikes me as slightly ominous.
Overall, from what we know so far, the positives of nanotechnology tip the scale. I personally am of the mindset that the future is bright and wonderful with a world that is an easy and wholesome place to live in, and If there's one lesson which can be taken away from all of this let it be ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
I think it is also worth mentioning a report I came across on e-paper (nanotechnology based) which details forecasts and markets of the product. None of this report was available to the public. In order to read this short report of 151 pages one must buy it in PDF or hard copy form for £2750!
''The total market size for e-paper displays in 2012 is $1.03 billion rising to $8.59 billion in 2022. Growth is predominately from demand of e-readers but other applications such as signage will become a substantial market.'' [53]
Personally this strikes me as slightly ominous.
Overall, from what we know so far, the positives of nanotechnology tip the scale. I personally am of the mindset that the future is bright and wonderful with a world that is an easy and wholesome place to live in, and If there's one lesson which can be taken away from all of this let it be ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!