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Experts warn that misconceptions about "grey goo" could harm the opportunities of the poor in developing countries
January 27, 2004A report published today (Wednesday 28th January 2004) on the Institute of Physics website Nanotechweb.org will say that Prince Charles' claims about nanotechnology could widen the chasm between have and have-not countries and damage the emerging nanotechnology industry in the developing world. This new analysis comes from a leading bioethics think-tank, the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics and is the first-ever survey of nanotechnology research in developing countries.
Dr Peter Singer, Director of the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics and Dr Erin Court, the lead author of this report, argue that concerns over the legitimate risks of nanotechnology should be addressed through a new international process and not by resorting to a moratorium on research that promises vast improvement in the lives of five billion people in developing countries.
Dr Singer said: "Opposition from Prince Charles and pressure groups around the world should not be permitted to diminish the health, environmental and economic opportunities of the poor in Africa, Latin America and Asia."
This report outlines for the first time the health, environmental and economic benefits for developing countries of nanotechnology (NT). These include:
- improved detection of cancer and HIV/AIDS by tagging biological molecules with nanometer-sized markers, avoiding in the process many drawbacks associated with organic dyes conventionally used to mark cells;
- improved detection of tuberculosis with quantum dot optical biosensors. Development plans for a nanotech-based diagnostic kit to reduce the cost, time and the amount of blood required for TB tests was recently announced in India;
- inexpensive miniaturized medical diagnostic devices easily used in remote regions;
- more controlled and targeted administration of vaccinations using nanoparticle delivery systems;
- the ability to repair skeletal tissue damaged by traffic accidents, the so-called "unseen epidemic" of developing countries, using nanotech-based bone scaffolds;
- better monitoring of soil and crop toxicity levels through enzyme biosensors;
- improved water purification technologies;
- more effective clean-up of large oil spills.
Dr Peter Singer, who is a medical ethics expert, said: "While there are legitimate risks that need to be managed, an exclusive focus on the risks will create another divide - the nano-divide - similar to the digital and genomics divides between industrialized and developing countries. There is a failure adequately to consider and understand how nanotechnology can bring benefits to 5 billion people in developing countries."
This survey of nanotechnology research in developing countries shows a surprising level of activity underway. They cluster developing countries into three groups based on their activity level: "front-runners" (China, South Korea, India); "middle ground" (Thailand, Philippines, South Africa, Brazil, Chile); and "up and comers" (Argentina, Mexico).
The authors call for a new international network to assess emerging technologies for development, identify the potential risks and benefits of NT incorporating developed and developing world perspectives, and to explore the effects of a potential 'nano-divide'.
Such a global network would serve as a focal point to commission and collect research results, promote awareness of the potential applications of NT for development, create new regulatory regimes (or build upon existing ones) for managing NT's risks and promoting global public good.
The authors highlight the following concerns: How long will nanomaterials remain in the environment? How readily will nanomaterials bind to environmental contaminants? Will these particles move up through the food chain and what will be their effect on humans? How will the incorporation of artificial materials into human systems affect health, security and privacy? Who will control the means of production and who will get to debate the risks and benefits? What will be the effects of military and corporate control over NT?
There are also potential risk management issues specific to developing countries: displacement of traditional markets, the imposition of foreign values, the fear that technological advances will be extraneous to development needs, and the lack of resources to establish, monitor and enforce safety regulations.
Co-author Abdallah Daar said: "while overly apprehensive views and fear-mongering can prohibit serious progress, addressing the legitimate concerns associated with NT can foster public support and allow the technology to progress in a socially responsible manner. Will industrialized nations continue to invest in stain-resistant 'nano' trousers, NT-based cosmetics and other products solely for the rich, or will NT's potential to improve lives in the developing world be seized?"
This report will appear on Nanotechweb.org's (http://nanotechweb.org) new "nanotechnology and society" channel - a forum for debate and discussion on issues relating to nanotechnology.
Institute of Physics
This report outlines for the first time the health, environmental and economic benefits for developing countries of nanotechnology (NT). These include:
- improved detection of cancer and HIV/AIDS by tagging biological molecules with nanometer-sized markers, avoiding in the process many drawbacks associated with organic dyes conventionally used to mark cells;
- improved detection of tuberculosis with quantum dot optical biosensors. Development plans for a nanotech-based diagnostic kit to reduce the cost, time and the amount of blood required for TB tests was recently announced in India;
- inexpensive miniaturized medical diagnostic devices easily used in remote regions;
- more controlled and targeted administration of vaccinations using nanoparticle delivery systems;
- the ability to repair skeletal tissue damaged by traffic accidents, the so-called "unseen epidemic" of developing countries, using nanotech-based bone scaffolds;
- better monitoring of soil and crop toxicity levels through enzyme biosensors;
- improved water purification technologies;
- more effective clean-up of large oil spills.
Dr Peter Singer, who is a medical ethics expert, said: "While there are legitimate risks that need to be managed, an exclusive focus on the risks will create another divide - the nano-divide - similar to the digital and genomics divides between industrialized and developing countries. There is a failure adequately to consider and understand how nanotechnology can bring benefits to 5 billion people in developing countries."
This survey of nanotechnology research in developing countries shows a surprising level of activity underway. They cluster developing countries into three groups based on their activity level: "front-runners" (China, South Korea, India); "middle ground" (Thailand, Philippines, South Africa, Brazil, Chile); and "up and comers" (Argentina, Mexico).
The authors call for a new international network to assess emerging technologies for development, identify the potential risks and benefits of NT incorporating developed and developing world perspectives, and to explore the effects of a potential 'nano-divide'.
Such a global network would serve as a focal point to commission and collect research results, promote awareness of the potential applications of NT for development, create new regulatory regimes (or build upon existing ones) for managing NT's risks and promoting global public good.
The authors highlight the following concerns: How long will nanomaterials remain in the environment? How readily will nanomaterials bind to environmental contaminants? Will these particles move up through the food chain and what will be their effect on humans? How will the incorporation of artificial materials into human systems affect health, security and privacy? Who will control the means of production and who will get to debate the risks and benefits? What will be the effects of military and corporate control over NT?
There are also potential risk management issues specific to developing countries: displacement of traditional markets, the imposition of foreign values, the fear that technological advances will be extraneous to development needs, and the lack of resources to establish, monitor and enforce safety regulations.
Co-author Abdallah Daar said: "while overly apprehensive views and fear-mongering can prohibit serious progress, addressing the legitimate concerns associated with NT can foster public support and allow the technology to progress in a socially responsible manner. Will industrialized nations continue to invest in stain-resistant 'nano' trousers, NT-based cosmetics and other products solely for the rich, or will NT's potential to improve lives in the developing world be seized?"
This report will appear on Nanotechweb.org's (http://nanotechweb.org) new "nanotechnology and society" channel - a forum for debate and discussion on issues relating to nanotechnology.
Institute of Physics
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Nanowires key to future transistors, electronics
A new generation of ultrasmall transistors and more powerful computer chips using tiny structures called semiconducting nanowires are closer to reality after a key discovery by researchers at IBM, Purdue University and the University of California at Los Angeles.
New study confirms exotic electric properties of graphene
First, it was the soccer-ball-shaped molecules dubbed buckyballs. Then it was the cylindrically shaped nanotubes. Now, the hottest new material in physics and nanotechnology is graphene: a remarkably flat molecule made of carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal rings much like molecular chicken wire.
Behavior modification could ease concerns about nanoparticles
In an advance that could help ease health and environmental concerns about the emerging nanotechnology industry, scientists are reporting development of technology for changing the behavior of nanoparticles in municipal sewage treatment plants - their main gateway into the environment.
UT Knoxville and ORNL researchers turn algae into high-temperature hydrogen source
In the quest to make hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel source, researchers have been stymied about how to create usable hydrogen that is clean and sustainable without relying on an intensive, high-energy process that outweighs the benefits of not using petroleum to power vehicles.
Caltech scientists develop DNA origami nanoscale breadboards for carbon nanotube circuits
In work that someday may lead to the development of novel types of nanoscale electronic devices, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has combined DNA's talent for self-assembly with the remarkable electronic properties of carbon nanotubes, thereby suggesting a solution to the long-standing problem of organizing carbon nanotubes into nanoscale electronic circuits.
New 'finFET' promising for smaller transistors, more powerful chips
Purdue University researchers are making progress in developing a new type of transistor that uses a finlike structure instead of the conventional flat design, possibly enabling engineers to create faster and more compact circuits and computer chips.
Findings show nanomedicine promising for treating spinal cord injuries
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a new approach for repairing damaged nerve fibers in spinal cord injuries using nano-spheres that could be injected into the blood shortly after an accident.
Magnetic nanoparticles to simultaneously diagnose, monitor and treat
Whether it's magnetic nanoparticles (mNPs) giving an army of 'therapeutically armed' white blood cells direction to invade a deadly tumour's territory, or the use of mNPs to target specific nerve channels and induce nerve-led behaviour (such as the life-dependant thumping of our hearts), mNPs have come a long way in the past decade.
Breakthrough in industrial-scale nanotube processing
Rice University scientists today unveiled a method for the industrial-scale processing of pure carbon-nanotube fibers that could lead to revolutionary advances in materials science, power distribution and nanoelectronics.
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