A brief survey of nanotechnology risks
Jose Garcia at Meme Therapy is running a Brain Parade on nanotechnology risks. Both the Brain Parade concept and the content are excellent.
You'll find David Berube, Mike Treder, Patrick Lin and Dietram Scheufele offering their views on nanotech risks.
Berube rightly observes that we are plowing ahead with introducing nanoparticles to our bodies (as food additives), and to the environment, without much in the way of regulation or even understanding of the possible consequences.
Patrick Lin hits on everything from surveillance and privacy to human enhancement and nano-terrorism, and Mike trader focuses on the possibility of a new arms race.
Dietram Scheufele worries about the labeling of nanomaterials as the "asbestos of tomorrow" by some European media trying to stir up fear and controversy.
What's missing is the staunchly anti-nanotech opinion of a group like ETC. But for a brief post it's pretty comprehensive, offering a range of issues for you to worry about (maybe even do something about?) as we move into a nanotech future.
In the last year about $32 billion worth of product incorporating nanotechnology were sold last year and the increase in the future 10 years is estimated to $1 trillion. But the risk including environment, health and safety are growing with the expansion of nanotechnology. Very little is known about these risks and since the search efforts lack the strategic focus, priorities and necessary funding, few of the critical safety questions are answered.
August 9th, 2006 at 9:56 pmThanks for your comments, Jackie. Can you elaborate on how “the risk including environment, health and safety are growing with the expansion of nanotechnology”? And best of luck with your new blog at http://www.jackiesinvestmentblog.com/
August 11th, 2006 at 3:53 pmI think that nanotech is a double edge sword. It could be used to do good or bad, it’s just an instrument and thus it does what it’s master intends for it to do.
June 13th, 2007 at 3:39 am