Ethical Issues | nanobiotechnology-1

With the incredible recent advancements in cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology, the potential cures and solutions to world’s deadly diseases and global challenges are becoming more real. But with the discoveries comes risks? The implications of misused nanobiotechnology could have long lasting effects on society. While nanotechnology can potentially turn waste in to edible food, destroy cancerous cells in the body, and perform many other beneficial tasks, this technology has many potential dangers. This new technology can be the start of the next technological revolution but we still must ask ourselves if this is the morally correct direction we should be pursing.

Human Cloning

The process of cloning is made possible by nanobiotechnology. Cloning is a process of producing genetically identical organisms that already exist in nature. With nanobiotechnology, scientist can intentionally clone organisms or molecularly clone DNA fragments. There are three main types of cloning used in biotechnology. They are known as reproductive cloning, therapeutic cloning, and DNA cloning. There was a great deal of controversy over the idea of cloning. When the news of the first cloned sheep was released in 1997, the focus was quickly turned to the possibility of cloning humans. While so far, there are no known human clones, is the idea really that far-fetched? Since the cloning in 1997, scientists have used similar techniques to clone mice, rats, cows, cats, and other animals. There have been reports on attempts to clone human embryos.

Watch the slide show to learn more about the potential dangers of Nanotechnology.

Nano Weapons

Nanoweapons are weapons created using the power of nanotechnology. If misused, nanoweapons that have the power to drastically reduce the population of the Earth. Discoveries such as molecular disassemblers would allow armies to break down the molecular structure of anything in their path. This is known as the "Grey Goo Scenario" The person using the "Grey Goo Scenario," could wipe out an entire environment on the biological level. Armies could also use nanotechnology to create miniature undetectable weapons such as nano-needles and nano-dust

Nanotechnology presents us with new moral responsibilities. Below are some of the potential dangers that nanotechnology brings.

spies. The power of nanoweapons can result in the destruction of the human race. The fear is that these discoveries could fall in the wrong hands and the ability to carry out large-scale attacks with limited participants would be possible.

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Invasion of Privacy

With the advancement of nanotechnology, we could be setting ourselves up for a massive invasion of privacy. Nanotechnology breaks apart cells and molecules on the atomic scale. This would mean that developers could create undetectable cameras, recorders, and tracking devices. These devices could sneak in and record information about us without our knowledge. Without careful thought, these discoveries could threaten our civil liberties. While these nano-devices have many benefits, it could provide detailed tracking of our daily activities such as places visited and things consumed. The concern is how much surveillance is too much.

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Some of the people believe that cloning is unethical, because it is unnatural and may lead to deformed offspring. It is also leads to people wanting to produce the perfect baby. Work like this, some say, is only done by gods.

Nanoparticles

While nanoparticles may have many benefits to the medical field, it also poses many possible dangers. Research has shown that nanoparticles such as quantum dots, fullerenes, and zinc oxide may pose possible side effects to the human body. Since nanoparticles may have greater reactivity, it may also have greater toxicity than larger sized particles. Nanoparticles may also invade the body’s natural defense systems and accumulate in tissues. These potential risks must be considered in the development of new technology involving nanoparticles.

Researchers continue to work toward finding practical applications of nanoparticles without truly knowing the potential effects of the innovations.

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Ethical Issues of Nanobiotechnology

With such broad possibilities, nanotechnology as a whole, brings many ethical issues.