The Dangers of

Nanotechnology

v.gopichand india
Overview
 New technologies bring the potential for new dangers
 Previous technological advancements and their unforeseen
dangers
 What is nanotechnology and why is it extraordinary?
 The (positive) potential of small things
 Threats
 Biological
 Environmental
 Military
 Other
 No policy scenario
 Policy Suggestions
New technologies and new dangers
 Humanity is acquiring all the right technology for all
the wrong reasons.
 R. Buckminster Fuller (1895 - 1983)
 New technologies have brought with them many
troubles.
 Progress without limits is not the best policy.
Previous technological advancements and
their unforeseen dangers
Previous technological advancements and
their unforeseen dangers
 Even “peaceful” uses of
technology have had
horrible disasters.
 The Chernobyl disaster was
spread by wind to three
continents within 9 days.

Spread of Chernobyl radiation

Previous technological advancements and
their unforeseen dangers
 Not just nuclear
 The use of CFCs endanger our ozone and the entire climate
system on Earth.
 Silicon breast implants ended up leaking and being
extremely dangerous to the patient.
 Cancer clusters appear near power lines due to radiation.
What is Nanotechnology and why is it
extraordinary?
 The term “nanotechnology” refers
to any technology related to
features of nanometer scale (i.e.
the scale on which viruses and
bacteria exist).
 It gives control over properties of
materials and structures at an
atomic scale, so that engineering
of materials and devices specific
to a need is extremely simple and
cheap.
 This kind of control has never
before been seen in human
history.

Artist rendition of a “Nanobot”

The (positive) potential of small things
 Nanotechnology may lead to greater control and
precision over device design.
 It might lead to greater control over properties of new
materials.
 It might lead to more targeted drug delivery.
 It may provide greater sensing technology.
Problem: The Potential Threats of
Nanotechnology
 As with all new technology, we
should evaluate nanotechnology
not only on its potential gains, but
also on its potential threats.
 Some of these fall into the
Nightmare “Gray Goo” scenario
following categories:
 Biological
 Environmental
 Military
 Other

cells in a petri dish

Threats - Biological
 The advent of
nanotechnology allows for
new control over our own
biology.
 “Nanomeds” have greatly
untested side effects. It is
unknown what kinds of
alternate problems could be
created by altering DNA,
cells, and our own
biological beings.

“Nanobot” with a red blood cell

Threats – To the environment and other
species
 CFCs were first developed Hole in the
as safer alternatives to ozone layer
ammonia.
 When nanotubes, hailed as
the harbinger of nanotech,
were injected into rats, 15%
of them died quickly. “The
highest death rate we had
ever seen”.

Lab rats
Threats – Military
 Nanotechnology is being
? explored for potential
military applications.
 It is cheap, easy to
reproduce, and possibly
remarkably useful in both
armor and weapons. Is there
any doubt our enemies would
exploit nanotechnology
against civilization

Kim Jong Il – Leader of N. Korea

 Threats – Other
 Nanoassemblers
 The “Holy Grail of
Nanotechnology”
 Self-copying nanobots
 “The perfect plague”

Artist rendering of nanoassemblers

What do we do?
 Peaceful Uses Treaty – based on Space treaties
 Ethical guidelines for working in nanotechnology
 Close monitoring and coordination of all nanotech
research for potential hazards
 Extensive testing for potential ill effects of all new
nanotechnology products
Summary
 Nanotechnology is an exciting field. However, many
of its uses and abuses are unknown.
 Some foresight today in curbing potential dangers
could prevent huge potential disasters in all areas of
life.
 The recommended policy changes will have minimal
impact on scientific research and will have a great
positive impact on people’s lives.