Development of Nanobots - Research Paper Example

? Nanobots Introduction The late 20th century witnessed tremendous advances in terms of technology. Rapid development of computer and processor technology was coupled with increasing efficiency. Every year witnessed increased developments within increasingly smaller spaces. Such nanotechnology, as it has come to be called, has emerged partially in the development of the nanorobot. The nanorobot device is no larger than a nanometer (10?9 meters) and can be implemented in a wide-variety of productive efforts, perhaps most prominently in medical treatments. This essay examines the nanobot in terms of its purpose, function, development, as well as the moral and ethical concerns related to its implementation in the contemporary and future world environments. Analysis What is this technology? Nanobots are the product of nanotechnology. This is technology that functions within exceptionally small confines – namely within a nanometer (10?9 meters). The field of nanorobotics implements nanotechnology in the creation and engineering of robotic devices ranging in size from 0.1-10 micrometers. These robots are recognized to also be composed of micro or nano processors or components. When one considers that in the mid-20th century the only computers that existed filled a room, the emergence of such nanotechnology measures only a half-century later is a tremendous technological advance. Nanotechnology is created from a bottom up process where the technology is created one atom at a time, allowing developers to achieve the astoundingly small size requirements. Currently nanorobotic technology is in a proto-stage, as primitive molecular machines have been developed. There are also sensors that measure only 1.5 nanometers that are able to identify specific molecules in a chemical conglomerate. Even while nanobots remain largely in the formative development stages, it’s recognized that in the upcoming decade they will increasingly become a part of our daily lives. Purpose of this technology and its effect on people’s lives There are a great variety of potential implementations for nanorobotic technology. Perhaps the most prominent use of this technology has been potential implications of it in combating cancer cells. Indeed, recent trial procedures have been conducted wherein nanobots were able to enter a human and eliminate cancer cells. Describing the function of these nanobots in combating cancer, researcher Mark Davis notes, “It sneaks in, evades the immune system, delivers the siRNA, and the disassembled components exit out” (Gizmodo). Essentially, these nanobots are able to enter the human body and deliver RNAi sequences to cancerous cells; these are ribonucleic acid interferences that attack malignant cancer cells. Professor Sylvain Martel, Director of the Nanorobotics Laboratory at Polytechnique Montreal has also foregrounded significant developments of nanobots for the treatment of cancer. While Professor Martel’s treatment of cancer is much in like with researcher Mark Davis’ there are a number of notable innovative differences. It’s noted that, “Using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, his team successfully guided microcarriers loaded with a dose of anti-cancer drug through the bloodstream…right up to a targeted area in the liver, where the drug was successfully administered” (‘Science Daily’). In these regards, the notable understanding is that this technology is able to improve chemoembolization by treating cancerous cells without exposing the unaffected adjacent tissue to the medication’s toxic effects. In addition to specific implications on cancer treatment, nanobots are also believed to have the potential of aiding humans avoid invasive surgery through entering the body and conducting such amendments. Furthermore, the emergent study of nanomedibots is believed to have the potential of developing nanobots that reside in humans to, “monitor body function; repair damaged tissue at the molecular level; deconstruct pathologic or abnormal material or cells such as cancer or plaque; and enhance human health and functioning” (nanobot). Ultimately, it’s clear that potential future applications of nanobots are as expansive as the technology is small. Development of the technology There are a number of significant contributions and contributors to the advancement of nanotechnology and nanobots. While significant advancements in nanotechnology have only recently emerged, the study of the development of nanodevices dates back to the 1980s. Perhaps the first great advancement in nanotechnology occurred with the development of the scanning tunneling microscope in 1981 and the discovery of fullerenes in 1985. The combinatory impact of these devices was articulated in the seminal text ‘Engines of Creation: the Coming Era of Nanotechnology’, which would come to influence future researchers. K. Eric Drexler wrote this book articulating the first of notion of nanotechnology as influenced by Richard Feynman’s considerations in a lecture ‘There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom’ earlier in the century. In recent decades nanotechnology has witnessed an explosion of growth as commercial entities have began research into the field. Indeed, a recent study demonstrated that, “0ver 1300 manufacturer-identified nanotech products are publicly available, with new ones hitting the market at a pace of 3–4 per week” (‘The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies’). Still, some of the most prominent development of nanobots has been in terms of medical or heath fighting technology. Within this field of development some of the prominent researchers include Pierre Pouponneau who developed therapeutic magnetic microcarriers (TMMCs) as a means of fighting cancerous cells. Ethical or moral concerns There are a number of potential ethical and moral concerns related to the development of nanotechnology and nanobots. One of the most pervasive ethical concerns relate to the nature of the construction of this technology. In these regards, it’s noted that, “Nanotechnology may be able to create nanobots that emulate certain functions of biological entities, but the structures and origin of nanobots will likely remain quite different than those of biological entities” (nanobot). In this context of investigation religious concerns related to the composition of life remain major ethical issues when considering the development of such life-like technology. Still, other researchers have explored ominous concerns of this technology. In ‘Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us’ Bill Joy argued that the development of such nanobots and nanotechnological devices creates a future where technology increasingly mirrors the intelligence of humans (Messerly). Joy believes that such technology could have a calamitous effect as machines disrupting the social order outsource traditional human activities. Still, individuals such as John Messerly have argued that these moral concerns are largely over-stated and that humans will instead be able to harness this intelligent technology for productive ends. Summary In conclusion, this investigation has considered nanobots. In this context of understanding, nanobots have been situated within the larger field of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is understood as technology that is no larger than a nanometer (10?9 meters). Nanotechnology is demonstrated to date back to the 1980s wherein the combined development of the scanning tunneling microscope in 1981 and the discovery of fullerenes in 1985 would pave the way for future developments. The last decade has witnessed significant developments in nanorobotics. Increasingly nanobots are being developed as a means of attacking cancerous cells without negatively affecting surrounding tissue. Similarly, such technology may be able to heal broken tissue and bones without the need for medical professionals to conduct invasive surgery. While nanotechnology has demonstrated tremendous potential for social gains through the implementation of nanobots in medical care, there are also a number of ethical and moral concerns. In these regards, the nature of the nanobot as increasingly resembling life holds potentially dangerous implications. Individuals have even argued that the further development of such technology will create a future world where humans and the traditional social order are made extraneous to such intelligent technology. References ‘Analysis: This is the first publicly available on-line inventory of nanotechnology-based consumer products.’ The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. 2011 Messerly, John G. "I'm glad the future doesn't need us: a critique of Joy's pessimistic futurism." ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, Volume 33, Issue 2. 2003 "Report on Nanobots (Nanotechnology)." nanobot. N.p., 2011. Web. 14 Dec 2011. . "This is the future of the fight against cancer." Gizmodo. N.p., 2011. Web. 14 Dec 2011. . "World First: Localized Delivery of an Anti-Cancer Drug by Remote-Controlled Microcarriers." Science Daily. N.p., 2011. Web. 14 Dec 2011. . Read More