THE PROS AND CONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

Nanotechnology has a promising future, but the ethical questions it raises makes it a hot issue among the technology fraternity. Here is a brief guide for the uninitiated
by DAVID DLAMINI Published on 27 October 2009 08:19 AM
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Nanotechnology is simply the study of the control of matter at an atomic and molecular level. It encompasses the creation of microscopic machines called nanorobots, which will manipulate atoms at the molecular level to create or change anything and everything. Imagine a supercomputer that is smaller than the head of a pin or a team of medical nanorobots that cruises around the human body eliminating cancerous cells and infections. Nanotechnology is based on the principle that everything is created by an arrangement of atoms. The rearrangement of atoms in sand could result in better power semiconductors, for instance. If the atoms in coal are rearranged, creating a diamond is possible.

The interest in nanotechnology is huge. Already in January 2000, the US government gave $500 million to the National Nanotechnology Initiative and in 2003, President George Bush increased that figure by another $179 million. Although mainstream nanotechnology is far from being released, there are small cases of nanorobots being used commercially. Sunscreen, for instance, contains tiny passive nanoparticles in the form of titanium oxide that help reduce the impact of the sun’s rays.

Pros
- It will enable humankind to create anything stronger, lighter, cheaper and better.  We will be able to use current and future “garbage” to create new things, cleaning up landfills taking recycling to a whole new level.
- New technology such as nutritionally-enhanced, interactive “smart” foods and cheap and powerful energy generation will become available. Life for humankind will be a lot easier, thanks to nanotechnology.
- Nanotechnology will be able to stop disease internally, slow down the aging process and even remove harmful materials from the air we breathe.
- Nanorobots are able to recycle waste products quickly and efficiently.

Cons
- Jobs will be lost at an alarming rate, as nanorobots will be able to work faster and more efficiently than their human counterparts.
- Nanorobots could be used as weapons by terrorists, as they are almost untraceable.
- There are severe health issues if nanorobots inadvertently land up in a human body. There have already been cases of workers at a paint factory suffering from severe lung disease due to inhaled nanoparticles.