Jul 1 2004
Nanotechnology is showing promising developments in many areas and may benefit our health and welfare. However, we should be aware of possible unwanted side-effects. These are the conclusions of the European nanotechnology network Nanoforum in their recent report on the benefits, risks, ethical, legal and social aspects of nanotechnology.
Nano means small, very small, and nanotechnologists can arrange matter almost atom by atom. Nanotechnology has the potential to be of enormous benefit in a wide range of products and technologies, and partly already is. Nanomaterials and coatings can be applied in new and more sustainable energy production technologies. Biocompatible materials can be used in human tissue engineering, implants, diagnostics and drug delivery. The automotive industry will be a still larger market, with nanomaterials incorporated in various sensors. In ICT, nanotechnology will be taken up in computer chips and computer memories. From the chemical industry, nanotechnology can contribute to catalysis of chemical reactions. It can also contribute to environmental improvement, in techniques for cleaning air, soil and water. Consumers may eventually find themselves wearing nanotechnology in clothes made of 'smart textiles'. Be cool, wear heat-regulated nanopants: tomorrow's ad?
That's what we may do with nanosized matter. But what will be the effect of those tiny particles on our health? Risks for health and environment resulting from nanoparticles are now the most pressing issues in the political debate. As for every chemical product entering the market, some toxicological studies on safety and environmental impacts of nanomaterials are envisaged. But methodologies that exist to measure new product toxicology have to be adapted to nanomaterials. Some scientific data already exist regarding risks of exposure to nanomaterials in animals through the skin or mouth. So far, no significant evidence is available that nanoparticles present risks for humans.
In the public debate on the implications of nanotechnology, serious scientific expectations meet science fiction. The latter horror movie scenarios mainly relate to long-term developments and are not that relevant to the present day state of affairs of nanotechnology. However, they do influence how the general public reacts to nanotechnology, and these scenarios should therefore realistically be taken into account in a public debate on nanotechnology. In this regard it is important that any debate encompasses not only this guardian type of ethics but also the commercial perspectives and those from the perspective of information distribution. After all, money is power, and so is knowledge.
Potential risks and possible misuse of nanotechnology demand good regulation. That is, as soon as we know what the possible dark sides of nanotechnology are. Legislation is expected to concern the safety of nanoparticles (for human health and for the environment), military developments and possible misuse, merging laws of different technologies (as nano often cannot be captured under a single technology), standardisation of nanomeasures (and how to measure them at all), and patenting new technologies. Debates as to these issues are ongoing, but it is too early to say what the outcome of these debates will be.
"Benefits, risks, ethical, legal and social aspects of nanotechnology", 30 June 2004, by Nanoforum, includes an overview of organisations and networks active in nanotechnology debates all over the world. This report can be downloaded for free from Nanoforum.
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