Nanotechnology Raises Issues of Ethics, Social Regulation and Fairness
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Nanotechnology has not only a technology dimension; it also has ethical and social dimensions because it can provide great power to those who can use the technology, and also because of likely dangers it can cause to users and others.
At nano-scales, properties of matter can be very different from what they are at normal levels. Materials that are quite safe in normal sizes can become toxic when reduced to nanoparticles. Nanoparticles have been compared to asbestos in the danger they pose to human health.
A recent report mentioned about the findings of a study that indicated that silver nanoparticles, a popular material valued for its healing property, can cause fish death. Nanoparticles have been used in cosmetics, and the danger of these tiny particles getting into the blood stream and causing harm is very real.
It is clear that nanotechnology needs to be examined from different perspectives and the issues need to be discussed objectively before decisions on its use are taken.
The nanoethics group, that includes both technologists and non-technologists, have just announced the publication of a book titled “What Is Nanotechnology and Why Does It Matter?: From Science to Ethics.” The book is published by Wiley-Blackwell.
Read about the book and its availability at: NanotechNow
Tags: nanoethics, nanotechnolgoy
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Helping Medical Applications of Nanotechnology
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Nanotechnology is a science that has applications in varied fields from cosmetics to electronics. There is a general belief among experts that medical and biological applications will predominate in the coming decade. There are many medical needs that remain unfulfilled under current technology and know-how and nanotechnology is expected to provide some of the solutions.
Medical nanotechnology is a field that is already getting considerable research and business focus. In a previous post we looked at the efforts of Biopolis engineers to develop robots that can work with bacteria and human cells without contaminating them.
Government in the United Kingdom is establishing a bionanotechnology centre with private participation. The centre will act as a source of specialist skills to the business community seeking to develop nanotechnology-based medical applications. Environmental screening, diagnostics and therapy all are potential areas for nanotechnology-based applications.
A priced article on “Medical nanotechnology in the UK: a perspective from the London Centre for Nanotechnology,” authored by Michael A Horton MD and Abid Khan PhD of the Centre reviews the academic and business strategy adopted by the centre.
The article is available for purchase at: Science Direct
Tags: bionanotechnology, medical nanotechnology
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