The Pros And Cons Of Nanotechnology

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Picture a world where material can be changed at the molecular level or put tiny machines into human beings for disease treatment, sounds like a sci-fi movie right? Since the turn of the 21st century, society has made major leaps in technology and one of the most recent developments is nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacturing of very small mechanical machines that are able to operate at the molecular level of matter. The goal of researchers of nanotechnology is to be able to manipulate materials at the atomic level to suit certain needs. Presently nanotechnology is still in the research stage and is not in mass production yet; however it will be used for industry purposes in the near future. All new technology comes with ethical concerns on where and how to use it along with what it would be used for and who might benefit from its use. Scientists claim that nanotechnology can bring benefits to our society in the medical field, environment and manufacturing, but with this new technology there is always a danger of it being used for things like weaponry, possible surveillance, and self-replicating. A more ethical solution would be to set up a non-government regulatory commission for nanotechnology with no hidden agenda for the development of nanomachines and adopt design parameters that are safe for the environment and the health of human beings.
Since 2000, nanotechnology has been funded by the U.S. government which has created the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) to guide research and monitor its development [1]. Advocators of NNI “assert that nanotechnology is one of the most important emerging and enabling technologies and that U.S. competitiveness, technolo...

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1. Chen, Andrew. “The Ethics of Nanotechnology”. Santa Clara University. Internet: www. scu.edu. [Mar. 20, 2014]
2. Sargent Jr, John F. “The National Nanotechnology Initiative: Overview, Reauthorization, and
Appropriations Issues”. Internet: www.fas.org, Dec. 17, 2013 [Mar 21, 2014].
3. Spagnolo, Antonio. “Outlining Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology”. Bioethics Vol. 23 Number 7, 2009, pp. 394-402.Internet: http://web.a.ebscohost.com.lib-ezproxy.tamu.edu/. [Mar 20,2014].
4. Paddock, Catherine. “Nanotechnology In Medicine: Huge Potential, But What Are The Risks?”. Medical News Today. Internet:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/244972.php.
May 2012 [Mar 20, 2014].
5. Wiesner, Mark.“ Introduction Environmental Nanotechnology”. Environmental Engineering Science. Vol 24, Number 1, 2007. Internet: http://online.liebertpub.com.lib-ezproxy.tamu.edu/. [Mar 20, 2014].

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