The Implications of Nanotechnology - Research Paper Example

October 24 Na chnology is also known by its shorter na ch; moreover, it is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale (Nanotechnology 27). It can also be defined as “including only activities at the atomic, molecular and super-molecular levels in the length scale of approximately 1-100nm range that create materials, devices and systems with fundamentally new properties and functions because of their small structure” (Roberts 11). Nanotechnology delves into all fields of science including but not limited to semiconductor physics, micro-fabrication, molecular biology, and organic chemistry among others. Since it is a relatively new field, it is crucial to examine its various applications and challenges, as well as ethical issues surrounding it, which is the goal of this essay. Nanotechnology has its roots in the 1980s and was the result of the convergence of experimental advances that include the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope and the discovery of fullerenes, after which the goals of nanotechnology were created in 1986 with the publication of the book “Engines of Creation” (Nanotechnology 27). A scanning electron microscope image of the silver nanowires in which the cotton is dipped during the process of constructing a filter; moreover, the large fibers are cotton, Credit: Yi Cui, Stanford University (Roberts 12) Bucicminsterfullerene also known as the buckyball is a representative member of the carbon structures known as fullerenes (Nanotechnology 27). The tunneling microscope was crucial due to its use in imaging surfaces at an atomic level. From the publication of the objectives of nanotechnology, other scientists developed and popularized the concept of nanotechnology and developed other fields of nanotechnology, such as molecular nanotechnology, from where the field grew into a controversial sector of science and technology with talk of its implications and feasibility, as well as its application. This has made nanoscience a technology with a large variety of application in the daily life of humans and diverse benefits. However, the application comes with its own risks that shall be discussed in the ethical part of this paper covering the ethics of applying nanotechnology. In the field of medicine, nanotechnology is applied for its health benefits in the human body functions. This is especially so in cases where it is used in research to develop improved delivery systems with lower drug toxicity. Nanotechnology allows for advanced research and strategies that help n the development of efficient drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic intracellular infections (Martis et al 68). Nanotechnology tools are used in the development of products and processes used in the medical field. This implies that the tools are used in the synthesis of drugs and their intermediates, as well as analytical tools used in the diagnosis. Nanotechnology in medicine works towards reducing the size of drug into miniatures version of their would be normal size. It also contributes towards solving conversion of current existing drugs into drugs that can easily be utilized by the body. This is following properties of drugs in that they are insoluble in water. Nanotechnology does this by reducing the size of the particles into the nanometer range; thus, increasing the surface area of the drug for improved absorption. In addition, nanotechnology in medicine is crucial in improving solubility due to the presence of nano-sized receptors present in the surface of cells. This means that nanotechnology helps greatly in absorption and interaction with biomolecules (Martis et al 69). Nanotechnology can be used in security and military applications due to its dynamics of exploitation. This is in relation to its ability to exploit the properties of matter in relation to their size. This means that nanotechnology holds the power to change the balance of power in the world as it holds more potential than nuclear weapons (Kosal 58). This way, nanotechnology enables the production of a completely new class of weapons that hold great power to the manipulate geopolitical landscape. Military scholars predict the trends of war change every time when new technologies and means of waging war come into play. In this light, nanotechnology holds great potential in both the fields of creating defensive and offensive weapons. This is because the technology is not discrete as it ideals with almost every sector n the field of science ranging from biology and chemistry to physics. In the military, nanotechnology is used for deployed applications that include propellants and explosives used in war, which take advantage of the surface area that nano-materials offer. Concerning defensive systems, nanotechnology offers mechanisms with the ability to sense and detect threats through quantum dots thus, creating a safer world to live in through early detection of threats to peace and remnants of war. Offensively, nanotechnology holds great potential for destruction due to the advancement of already existing technologies to include nanotechnology and development of a new range of weapons and threats on a technical scale. This is particularly so in the dreaded application of biological and chemical components in the military for defensive and offensive antics. Defensively, nanotechnology offers a way out for new developments in chemical and biological threats through detection and containment measures (Kosal 59). In addition, security installations seek to apply nanotechnology on a large scale to harness the power it can provide in relation to energy, power, photovoltaic and solar cells, as well as detectors and decontaminators. These are all aimed at enhancing security, which is relative based on who stands to benefit from offensive and defensive strategies taken by the involved parties. In addition, molecular nanotechnology can be used to protect interests of parties with the technology. This is following development of early warning systems to detect the likelihood of certain events, such as attacks occurring. This can be done through nano-computing, which allows simulation of events to detect and predict future events to some extent. However, nanotechnology is a threat to global security owing the level of financing that it gets from various governments and individuals around the world. In this light, it could trigger an arms race as was seen in the age of the development of the nuclear bomb leading to a less secure world. This is due to competition in claiming and proving their superiority, in terms of technology and weapons leading to international confrontation. This would work towards making the already volatile situation in the world worse by creating a means for parties in conflict to annihilate one another (Kosal 67). Nanotechnology could also work for the good and safety of the world if it were developed effectively and for righteous reason. This is concerning promoting global peace and interests by keeping potential threats at bay. Such threats include terrorists and warring parties; moreover, they can be stopped through political power achieved through developments in nanotechnology as the next generation defense mechanisms. Nanotechnology is viewed as one of the most viable solutions to the next industrial revolution due to its ability in changing innovation and offering signs of hope (Liao 784). In this regard, nanotechnology holds hope for the third world in relation to providing sustainable solutions to the problems they face. Sustainable development in the third world in this case refers to alleviating terminal issues that face the third in recurring manner, which include disease, poverty, and lack of safe drinking water. This is in spite of criticism that nanotechnology may hold both the power to save the third world, as well as destroy it. The above is said in relation to widening the gap between the developed world and the developing world, where technological advancements in the third world lag behind than those in developed nations. Nanotechnology in the third world can be applied to motivate development following the fact that technology drives development. Through this, technology, transfer is crucial in order to bring the benefits of nanotechnology to the poor by spurring innovation. Innovation, in turn, increases competitiveness, which brings about, economic development and the wealth generated trickles down to the rest of society for an enrichment of all, economically. This is as far as nanotechnology goes in relation to the alleviation of poverty in the third world by creating sustainable development strategies. In addition, nanotechnology can be applied to provide the third world with safe drinking water. This is in relation to treatment and remediation of water that is contaminated. This is done using nanotube filters that provide safe drinking water (Liao 784). This is because they contain nanoparticles that work against pesticides and other pollutants by degrading them. In addition, there already exist strategies that help in dissociating petroleum hydrocarbons from crude oil and remove bacteria from water through filtration. The above prove the application of nanotechnology towards sustainable development across the globe and not just in the third world. As a result, nanotechnology contributes substantially towards cutting costs involved in providing necessities aimed at increasing the quality of life in relation to water and development projects. However, the application of nanotechnology in third world countries for sustainable development requires tailoring of technology to suit the needs that the local population requires. Failure to do so, nanotechnology may result in being redundant or even useless. In relation to disease, nanotechnology works hand in hand with other factors and aspects of healthcare to improve the wellbeing of society for development. This is because a healthy population results in improved productivity, as opposed to one that suffers from diseases. This refers to the case of water treatment and remediation and innovation. For an unwell population, innovation would not be productive at all thus, treatment of water alleviates water born diseases and pollutants found in it that may lead to disease such as cancer, which is caused by arsenic contaminated water. Still on sustainable development, nanotechnology provides avenues for the world to escape from expensive solutions to everyday problems relating to power. This is through breakthroughs in photovoltaic and solar cells with improved efficiency all thanks to nanotechnology (Kosal 60). This means that the world is closer to achieving cheap, clean, and sustainable power due to the application of nanotechnology in the quest for alternative power sources. Nanotechnology has also been applied in food matters, where the technology is used for commercial purposes. These are used in the manufacture of foods with new nano-ingredients and additives, as well as nutritional supplements and food contact materials (Buzby 529). In this case, food contact materials refers to materials used in the handling of food products such as materials used to package, store, produce or serve food. The applications of nanotechnology are valuable in providing a safe environment for nutrition in cases, where food contact materials are treated with nonmaterial to prevent microbial activity, and consequently food spoilage. The technology is also used in nanoceuticals and nutritional supplements aimed at improving nutritional intake and thus, improve health. Still, on the food sector, nanotechnology proves effective in preservation of food products to prevent spoilage with nanoparticles such as nano-clays used in containers such as glass bottles to strengthen them and make them shatter proof. In beers and soft drinks stored in glass bottles, nano-clays are used for their properties in keeping oxygen out of the bottle while preserving the carbon dioxide within it. All this is while extending the shelf life of the contents in the container. In addition, nanotechnology is used in nanochips for detecting storage conditions (Buzby 531). The nanochips detect spoilage conditions in relation to temperature and moisture among others, as well as exposure to excessive light. Nanotechnology is also used to detect the presence of harmful microorganisms in food components such as E.Coli and Salmonella, as well as other pathogens. This proves the benefits that nanotechnology brings to the world of food production, handling, preservation and storage. The nanosensors are aimed at warning consumers against consuming contaminated food products, or products that may have been stored under conditions that violate the recommended ones, and may consequently be spoilt. In addition, nanotechnological applications in agriculture play a crucial role in food production in regard to cost saving following reduced costs of food products owing to significant drops in costs of production (Buzby 537). This is as seen due to the presence of nanosensors implemented in farms to monitor farming conditions such as soil conditions in relation to moisture content and pH among others. This means that thanks to nanotechnology, agricultural products could be produced in larger quantities at the same cost as without its application. As a result, it makes agriculture a cheap, economic activity with more output than input. This could also contribute to sustained economic development in third world countries by increasing food security for the countries in question. Application also results in higher quality food products by creating bio-available and potent supplements that can be distributed over a large population. In addition, nanotechnology helps put to a halt the prevalence of food-borne diseases and illnesses thus, providing relief to healthcare services for the cost used in treating the conditions. This is as well as improving the quality of life for the parties involved through better health. Another aspect is that of reusability of food contact materials, which means that the same containers can be reused; thus, cutting the costs of food production marginally. This is because the sensors and detectors applied from nanotechnology remain active, and when disposed of do not release any toxic or harmful substances. The use of nanotechnology faces a number of ethical challenges due to the ability of man to control and manipulate matter on a very small scale. This provides humans with instruments to change scientific research radically in relation to the way it is applied in certain fields of science and daily life. The main challenge in ethics regarding nanotechnology is the lack of a clear definition that applies universally, and the lack of knowledge on nanotechnology and its application. As a result, of the existence of different nanotechnologies, there are different ethical issues applying to different fields especially in human medicine. It is, therefore, crucial to define the right and wrong moral standing of the use of nanotechnology in different fields of life. In this case, it is ethical to use new technologies in order to improve the quality of life for all that are involved and humanity at large. This is because medical applications of nanotechnology assist in getting therapeutic treatment that is less invasive especially in diagnosis. The above is as opposed to the current diagnosis procedures used. Nonetheless, it does not mean that the current procedures are unethical, but a necessary means until research on the use of nanotechnology in medicine is complete. The negative ethical side is the one that relates to the size of molecules and nanoparticles introduced into the human body. This is because they may bypass the body’s natural defenses due to their size (Daloiso and Spagnolo 397). In this case, they may prove to be harmful owing to their size and numbers in the body due to their high level of mobility. The above may occur as the nanoparticles may remain in the body for undetermined lengths of time leading to poor health in the affected individual. This is unethical and wrong as the use of such technology with an unknown lifespan within the human body remains dangerous and a threat to the wellbeing of the individuals involved. In addition, in the application of the said technology, in agriculture and food technology, unsuspecting consumers may consume nanoparticles, which could lead to complications in health and overall quality of life. In addition, production of matter in a nano-level does not follow the conventional rules of the behavior of matter when in its normal scale. In turn, this translates to unpredictable behavior of the said particles produced on a nano-level in the human body. In this case, they may alter cellular functions or cellular damage. The worst-case scenario, morally and ethically, to the technologists and medical practitioners using the technology is in the case of DNA alteration. This could end up damaging the entire functioning of an organism, plant or animal (human), an unforeseen consequence. This provides grounds for negligence in the use of nanotechnology making it ethically and morally wrong to use the technology in certain procedure especially those that involve life, animal, plant, or human. As a result, of the ethical issues raised, there are proposed guidelines to govern the use of nanotechnology in different fields of life of prevent misuse. In this case, regulation is only meant to come into play should evidence show that the use of nano-materials is harmful. However, the regulation cover only aspects that relate to health, safety, and environmental risks associated with nano-materials (Hogle 752). In addition, all products that contain materials are required to have a clear label warning, or rather informing consumers of the presence of nano-materials or nano-particles (Broekhuizen and Reijnders 1648). In conclusion, nanotechnology is a technology playing a significant role in the world in which we live in the present. This is in spite of its recent inception or discovery less than three decades ago. Nanotechnology has revolutionized the world through its numerous applications in daily life making it a highly beneficial technology despite its shortcomings. Works Cited Martis, Elvis A., Rewa R. Badve, and Mukta D. Degwekar. "Nanotechnology Based Devices And Applications In Medicine: An Overview." Chronicles Of Young Scientists 3.1 (2012): 68-73.  Kosal, Margaret E. "The Security Implications Of Nanotechnology."Bulletin Of The Atomic Scientists 66.4 (2010): 58-69.  Buzby, Jean C. "Nanotechnology For Food Applications: More Questions Than Answers." Journal Of Consumer Affairs 44.3 (2010): 528-545.  Spagnolo, Antonio G. and Viviana Daloiso. "Outlining Ethical Issues In Nanotechnologies." Bioethics 23.7 (2009): 394-402.  "Nanotechnology." Chemical Business 26.3 (2012): 27-36.  Liao, Nina. "Combining Instrumental And Contextual Approaches: Nanotechnology And Sustainable Development." Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics 37.4 (2009): 781-789.  Hogle, Linda F. "Science, Ethics, And The “Problems” Of Governing Nanotechnologies." Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics 37.4 (2009): 749-758.  Read More